Numerous fires are actively burning within the Cascades
Update, 12:30 p.m. Monday:
An air pollution advisory for areas of southwest Oregon including Ashland issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality late Monday morning will remain in effect until at least 5 p.m. Wednesday. The air quality advisory for Lake, Klamath, eastern Douglas, and northern Jackson
counties is due to wildfires burning in the region. The DEQ also expects intermittent smoke in southern Jackson County through this period due to smoke from surrounding fires.
Air quality in Ashland was still in the “good” category (0-50) as of Monday afternoon with a reading of 34 at noon Monday. Shifting winds may carry smoke into the Ashland area Tuesday evening, according the National Weather Service, Medford office, smoke forecast.
Original post:
Ashland.news staff report
Wildfire smoke could cause air quality levels to fluctuate to unhealthy levels, according to an air quality alert issued Sunday afternoon by Jackson County Public Health that’s in effect until at least 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, for areas including Ashland and Medford.
Due to wildfires in neighboring counties, smoke levels can quickly rise and fall depending on weather factors and the activity of the wildfire, according to the announcement.
Ashland’s air quality was in the “unhealthy” category (151-200) most of Sunday afternoon, hitting 157 at 1 p.m., peaking at 174 at 2 p.m. and dipping to 153 at 7 p.m.
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.
Breathing in wildfire smoke can immediately affect a person’s health, causing coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, headaches, tiredness, chest pain, and fast heartbeat.
People can take the following precautions to protect their health:
- Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality.
- People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high.
- Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems.
For additional information, visit the website at oregonsmoke.org.
Email Ashland.news at [email protected].
