Air quality advisory for Portland metro area, Willamette Valley, southwest Washington, Central Oregon [Aviso sobre la calidad del aire]

QUICK FACTS

Location: Portland metro area, Willamette Valley, southwest Washington, Central Oregon

End date: Monday, Oct. 24

Smoke source: Nakia Creek, Siouxon, Cedar Creek fires

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality expanded an air quality advisory Thursday to include Polk, Yamhill and Deschutes counties due to smoke from the Nakia Creek and Siouxon fires in southwest Washington and the Cedar Creek fire near Oakridge. The agency extended its advisory for Columbia, Clackamas, Douglas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah and Washington counties. Clark County, Wash., also is under an air quality advisory.

DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until at least Monday, Oct. 24. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in the area.

Smoke mixed with early morning fog can cause hazardous driving conditions. Remember to drive for conditions, use your low beams, and give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. Check conditions before you drive at tripcheck.com.

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 people.

Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:

Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed. If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location.
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. 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.
When air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses.
If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.

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 selected and worn. Select a NIOSH-approved respirator with a N, R or P alongside the number 95, 99 or 100. Learn how to put on and use a respirator. Respirators won’t work for children as they don’t come in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before wearing a respirator.

Additional resources:

· Find a cleaner air space in your area: Visit 211info.org and search for “Wildfire Related Clean Air Shelters.” Or call 211 any time or day.

· Learn more about protecting your health during wildfires

Media contacts:

· DEQ: Harry Esteve, 503-951-3856, harry.esteve@deq.oregon.gov

· LRAPA: Travis Knudsen, 541-736-1056 ext. 217, travis@lrapa.org

· SW Clean Air Agency: Uri Papish, Vancouver, WA, 360-574-3058, uri@swcleanair.gov

· Local and Tribal contacts