...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON...
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has extended the Air
Quality Advisory, which is now in effect until 4 PM PDT this
afternoon.
The advisory includes: Benton, Clatsop, Clackamas, Columbia, Hood
River, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington,
and Yamhill counties.
Air quality is expected to improve today.
Local smoke levels can rise and fall rapidly. Residents can view
current air quality conditions at DEQ`s Air Quality Index
https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map. The index is also available
on smart phones. Simply search for OregonAir in your app store.
The Oregon Smoke Blog also has an air quality map that includes
temporary monitors close to specific fires, daily smoke forecasts for
specific areas, and other resources. Visit the Oregon Smoke Blog for
more information: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
The color-coded Air Quality Index ranks air quality as follows:
Green is good. Yellow is moderate, which is unhealthy for extremely
sensitive groups. Orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as
children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory
conditions. Red is unhealthy for everyone. Purple is very unhealthy
for all groups. Maroon is hazardous.
People can take the following precautions:
- Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid the places
with highest concentrations.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions.
- If you have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory ailments,
or are over 65, you have a higher risk of illness from wildfire
smoke.
- Small children and pregnant women are also at increased risk.
These residents are encouraged to stay indoors.
- People suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems should
follow their breathing management plans or contact their
providers.
Oregon`s monitoring network does not capture air quality conditions
in all communities so it is important for residents to gauge air
quality conditions where they live and take appropriate actions to
protect themselves.
Contact: DEQ: Katherine Benenati, Public Affairs Specialist, Eugene,
541-600-6119, benenati.katherine