DEQ issues air quality advisory for southern and eastern Oregon due to stagnation
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Thursday, January 13th, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
EASTERN/SOUTHERN OREGON – (Release from DEQ) The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for southern and eastern Oregon due to stagnant air conditions trapping smoke and other air pollutants near the ground where people breathe.
The following areas are affected:
- Baker, Douglas, Harney, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake and Malheur counties until at least Monday morning.
Check current air quality conditions and advisories on DEQ’s Air Quality Index or by downloading the OregonAIR on your app on your smartphone.
Check your local county health and air agencies to see if they’ve issued wood burning restrictions limiting the use of wood stoves, fireplaces and outdoor burning. There are often exceptions for those who use wood exclusively to heat their homes and those with limited income. Check with your local heath or air agency for current restrictions.
People can take the following precautions to protect their health:
- Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity and recreation.
- People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high.
- 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.
- Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible.
DEQ’s color-coded Air Quality Index provides current air quality conditions and ranks air quality as follows: Green is good. Yellow is moderate. 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.
