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Air quality advisory for south central Oregon

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Location: Klamath and Lake counties as well as parts of Douglas and Jackson counties - 
End date: Thursday, July 8 - 
Smoke source: Bootleg Fire near Fuego Mountain and Jack Fire near Hwy 138 - 

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Thursday for Klamath and Lake counties as well as parts of Douglas and Jackson counties due to smoke from the Bootleg Fire in Klamath County and the Jack Fire in Douglas County.

** Información en español **

DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until at least Monday morning. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in these impacted areas.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant women.

Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:

  • Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
  • Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifies. Or create your own air purifying filter by following these instructions.
  • Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
  • If you have heart or lung disease or asthma, follow your healthcare provider’s advice. If you use medication to manage your condition, make sure you get refills as early as possible. Try to keep at least one week of medication on hand.

Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their doctor before wearing a respirator. Get more information about protecting your health during wildfires.

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    Bootleg Fire, July 7, 2021. Photo credit: U.S. Forest Service