Air quality advisory extended in eastern Lane County through Tuesday evening, smoke impacts possible in Eugene and Springfield
Land Regional Air Protection Agency advisory
** Información en español **
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) extended the air quality advisory for eastern Lane County through Tuesday evening. LRAPA expects periods of Unhealthy air quality in Oakridge, and Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in the Eugene/Springfield area.
“It is important to recognize we have a dual health hazard of heat and wildfire smoke over the next few days,” says LRAPA spokesperson Travis Knudsen. “As we pay attention to the rising temperatures, we should also consider the current air quality. Which will fluctuate over the next few days.”
Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, or by visiting the EPA’s Fire & Smoke Map: https://fire.airnow.gov/
For updated heat-related resources and places to cool off, please visit Lane County’s website: http://lanecountyor.gov/cooling
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.
- 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.
Media contacts:
- LRAPA: Travis Knudsen, 541-736-1056 ext. 217, travis@lrapa.org
- Local and Tribal contacts
