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Showing posts from May, 2018

News Release: DEQ upgrades Air Quality Index to improve reliability

Some exciting news from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Check out the news release below and remember to download the Air Quality Index mobile app and to bookmark the webpage before wildfire season. Statewide, OR – A tool that Oregonians use to gauge air quality conditions where they live, work and play – one that many Oregonians see as critical during wildfire season -- has gotten a major overhaul. Upgrades to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Index, a color-coded tool that reports how clean the air is at over 37 monitors around the state and provides information on potential health risks , make the system more reliable. The new index also puts more data at users’ fingertips allowing them to view weather data, generate reports using historical data and more. A mobile app is also now available for smart phones. Simply search for OregonAir in your app store. “The index is a valuable tool for the public year round and it is pa

Thinking Ahead: Preparing for Wildfire Season

Tomorrow is National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day and wildfire season is right around the corner so we're taking this opportunity to remind you about the importance or preparation and to share some resources you can bookmark for wildfire season: Check out this wildfire safety checklist from the American Red Cross and these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Air Quality Index provides current air quality conditions at more than 30 monitors around the state. The AQI is a color-coded tool that allows you to gauge how healthy the air is at specific sites and what, if any, health precautions you should take. Wildfire smoke can be a particular concern to the elderly, children and those with respiratory conditions, but high levels of pollution can affect everyone. The Oregon Health Authority has some great resources on how you can stay healthy durin