DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until at least Wednesday, July 19.
DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in the area.
DEQ expects intermittent smoke throughout the area. Air quality may deteriorate during evening hours. Residents are advised to keep windows closed overnight.
** Información en español **
Location: Southern Curry County, parts of western Josephine County
End date: Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Smoke source: Flat Fire
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 from the
Oregon Health Authority.
- 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.
Media contacts:
- DEQ: Harry Esteve, 503-951-3856, harry.esteve@deq.oregon.gov
- DEQ: Dylan
Darling, 541-600-6119, dylan.darling@deq.oregon.gov
Local and Tribal contacts
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