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Showing posts from July, 2018

Klamath County News Release: Air quality issues prompt questions about using face masks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2018 Contact: Ramona Quinn, rquinn@co.klamath.or.us   Valeree Lane, vlane@klamathcounty.org , 541.882.8846 KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Klamath County continues to experience severe smoke intrusion from regional wildfires, creating hazardous air quality concerns. Public Health officials are fielding questions about the use of face masks to reduce smoke exposure. The Oregon Health Authority has prepared the following information. People who must be outdoors may be considering the use of masks to help protect their lungs from wildfire smoke. Masks can create a false sense of security if not properly selected, fitted and used.  There are a few things to know if you are considering the use of a mask: A void the use of surgical masks, bandanas and other common masks. These have not been shown to prevent smoke exposure. Those with questions about use of masks in the workplace should contact their employers, or Oregon OSHA at http://osha.oregon

Smoke Forecast for Eastern Oregon through Wednesday Aug. 1, 2018

The Air Quality Index at 10 a.m. See the map above for current conditions. Forecast Issued:  Tuesday July 31, 2018 Forecaster:  James Miller, USDA Forest Service At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, moderate air quality prevailed across Eastern Oregon. An upper-level high pressure ridge centered over Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon will produce another hot day east of the Cascades with daytime temperatures running 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above average with hazy skies and moderate air quality expected to remain over the region for most of the daylight hours on Tuesday.  Over the next 24 hours, the ridge will move eastward as an upper-level trough approaches the Pacific Northwest coast. This will result in gusty southwesterly to westerly winds that should provide some improvement in air quality across Eastern Oregon, possibly returning to good air quality conditions in the Grande Ronde Valley by later this evening and early Wednesday morning. Near-surface smo

Tuesday and Wednesday Smoke Outlook for Rogue and Shasta Valleys/I-5 Corridor

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/California-OregonBorder

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Fires for Tuesday and Wednesday (Includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Gold Beach, Agness)

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternOregon-CaliforniaBorder  

Smoke Outlook for Crater Lake Area for Tuesday and Wednesday

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CraterLakeArea  

The View from Klamath Falls This afternoon

Here's the view in Klamath Falls today around 2:45 p.m. Thanks to Jim Carey at Klamath County Public Health for sharing. (Now, we hope you're back inside!) An air quality advisory is still in place for Klamath, Jackson and Josephine counties and parts of Lake County. Poor conditions are expected to last at least the next several days. Remember to check the Air Quality Index or map on this page for current air quality conditions. Air quality in Klamath Falls -- and Medford, Ashland, Provolt and Lakeview -- was unhealthy at 2 p.m. according to DEQ's Air Quality Index. Air quality in Shady Cove and Cave Junction was very unhealthy.  A very unhealthy or purple reading means that everyone may experience more serious health effects. An unhealthy or red reading on the Air Quality Index means that everyone may begin to experience health effects and everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Learn more about precautions you can take when air qua

DEQ adds portions of Lake County to Existing Air Advisory for Klamath, Josephine and Jackson

Lakeview -- The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has extended an air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties, which are being impacted by smoke from a number of wildfires. It has also added portions of Lake County including Lakeview. Air quality is expected to be a concern for at least the next several days. As of 9 a.m. on Monday morning, air quality was unhealthy in Lakeview, Klamath Falls, Ashland, Medford, Provolt, Grants Pass and Cave Junction. It was very unhealthy in Shady Cove. Read the full advisory .

Monday and Tuesday Smoke Outlook for Rogue and Shasta Valleys/I-5 Corridor

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/California-OregonBorder

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Fires for Monday and Tuesday (Includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Gold Beach, Agness)

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternOregon-CaliforniaBorder  

Smoke Outlook for Crater Lake Area for Monday and Tuesday

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CraterLakeArea  

Smoke Outlook for Crater Lake Area for Sunday and Monday

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CraterLakeArea  

Sunday and Monday Smoke Outlook for Rogue and Shasta Valleys/I-5 Corridor

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/California-OregonBorder

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Fires for Sunday and Monday (Includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Gold Beach, Agness)

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternOregon-CaliforniaBorder  

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Fires for Saturday and Sunday (Includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Gold Beach, Agness)

View a version of this forecast with live links at: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternOregon-CaliforniaBorder

Smoke Outlook for Crater Lake Area for Saturday and Sunday

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CraterLakeArea  

Saturday and Sunday Smoke Outlook for Rogue and Shasta Valleys/I-5 Corridor

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/California-OregonBorder

News Release: DEQ extends air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties

Medford, OR—The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has extended an air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties, which are being impacted by smoke from a number of wildfires. Air quality had improved somewhat late in the week in Klamath Falls and the Rogue Valley where conditions were very unhealthy and even hazardous at some monitors earlier in the week. An air quality advisory was in place for the same counties from Monday to Thursday. With hot weather, light winds and a number of wildfires burning, air quality is expected to worsen at least through the weekend. As of 11 a.m. on Friday, air quality was very unhealthy in Shady Cove and unhealthy in Medford and Cave Junction. A very unhealthy or purple reading means that everyone may experience more serious health effects. An unhealthy or red reading on the Air Quality Index means that everyone may begin to experience health effects and everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Smoke Outlook for Crater Lake Area for Friday and Saturday

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CraterLakeArea  

Friday and Saturday Smoke Outlook for Rogue and Shasta Valleys/I-5 Corridor

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/California-OregonBorder

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Fires for Friday and Saturday (Includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction)

View a version of this forecast with live links at: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternOregon-CaliforniaBorder

Jackson County News Release: An Additional Air Monitor in Central Point for Country Crossings

CONTACT:   Tanya Phillips, Jackson County Public Health, 541-770-7708 DATE OF RELEASE: July 26, 2018. 6:00 PM [Medford, OR] - Jackson County Public Health has worked with the Environmental Protection Agency to place an additional air monitor in Central Point, at the Expo to monitor the air quality from wildfire smoke during the Country Crossings event. To check the status of air quality for the Country Crossings event, people will need to access the Oregon Smoke Information Blog http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ . If people are accessing the blog from a phone, you will need to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “View Web Version .” The air monitor for this location is a triangle on the map and located near Medford. For people who are attending the Country Crossing events, these are recommendations if it is smoky outside: ·          Drink lots of water! Staying hydrated can keep airways moist which will help reduce scratchy throat, headac

Air Quality Info at Your Fingertips: Apps to Download This Wildfire Season

Keeping up to date on the latest air quality conditions can be as easy as checking your smart phone. Here are two apps to download this wildfire season: Search for OregonAir in your app store to download the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Air Quality Index . U sers can pull up weather data – temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation, air pressure – or view the list of pollutants DEQ monitors at a given station. Remember to select PM2.5 -- that's the type of particulate matter or small particles in wildfire smoke. Search or scroll through monitoring stations, create favorite addresses, look at current air quality reports. You can even see what station has the worst air quality at a given time. Ugh. The app will also list any existing advisories. EPA's Smoke Sense -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a study called Smoke Sense to determine how exposure to wildland fire smoke affects health and productivity and to develop heal

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Fires for Thursday and Friday (Includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction)

View a version of this forecast with live links at: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternOregon-CaliforniaBorder

Smoke Outlook for Crater Lake Area for Thursday and Friday

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CraterLakeArea  

Thursday and Friday Smoke Outlook for Rogue and Shasta Valleys/I-5 Corridor

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/California-OregonBorder

Reminder: Rely on the Experts, Reputable Sites for Your Air Quality Data

We wanted to remind you when you’re checking air quality conditions to make sure you’re checking the map on this site, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Index * or EPA’s AirNow   . Those sites all use data from DEQ air quality monitors or in the case of Lane County from the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency . Please also bookmark the sites under the Air Quality Now and Air Quality Forecasting tabs above to ensure you are looking at credible sites. Why are we providing this reminder? Because at least a few of you have noticed some pretty alarming graphics circulating and a website that shows hazardous or very unhealthy air quality levels across wide areas. The ones we saw put air quality levels in Medford far higher than they have been this season and we can see why they would give someone pause. While we had some very unhealthy and even hazardous air quality readings this week in the Rogue Valley, those graphics didn’t include accurate air quality data fr

Smoke Outlook for Crater Lake Area for Wednesday and Thursday

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CraterLakeArea  

California-Oregon Border Fires Smoke Outlook for Wednesday and Thursday: Includes Provolt, Shady Cove, Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/California-OregonBorder

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Fires for Wednesday and Thursday (Includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction)

View a version of this forecast with live links at: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternOregon-CaliforniaBorder

Protecting Your Pets From Wildfire Smoke

Sometimes it's best to leave Rufus indoors. Fido and Fluffy are susceptible to wildfire smoke too. Smoke, ash and dust from wildfires affects pets, birds, horses, livestock and wildfire, according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association . Its advice? For starters keep pets inside with the windows shut and avoid intense outdoor exercise. They also recommend: Pet birds need to remain indoors as much as possible during the highest level advisories. Animals that have cardiovascular or respiratory disease are at increased risk during periods of poor air quality and should be watched closely. Include animals in your care in planning for possible evacuation. For more information on how to signs of smoke or dust irritation visit the association's webpage . The American Veterinary Association has some guidance on protecting livestock from wildfire smoke on its website .

California-Oregon Border Fires Smoke Outlook: Includes Provolt, Shady Cove, Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/California-OregonBorder

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Fires for Tuesday and Wednesday (Includes Grants Pass, Cave Junction)

View a version of this forecast with live links at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/WesternOregon-CaliforniaBorder  

News Release: Deschutes County Health Services Issues Health Tips for Wildfire Smoke

Deschutes County, Oregon – Deschutes County Health Services advises residents to take health precautions during periods of smoke. Many factors influence a person’s sensitivity to smoke, including severity and duration of smoke exposure and a person’s health. There are things you can do to minimize the impacts of smoke on you and your family: ·          Reduce time spent outdoors when smoke is present. ·          Use an indoor high-efficiency air filter (HEPA) or electrostatic precipitator in your home to help create one or more rooms with cleaner air to breathe. ·          Set your A/C or heating unit to recycle or recirculate when at home or in your car. ·          Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. ·          Reduce other sources of indoor smoke and dust, including: burning cigarettes, candles, gas or propane ranges, wood burning stoves and furnaces, and vacuuming. ·          Reduce the time you engage in vigorous outdoor activity. ·