If you take a look at the Air Quality Index on Thursday evening or in the wee hours of Friday morning, you might wonder – where’s the fire? Chances are that monitors that were green (or good) just hours before may be orange or red. An orange reading reflects air quality that’s unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, while red means unhealthy for everyone. (Learn more about the color-coded AQI and steps you can take to safeguard your health.)
We’re knocking on wood and crossing our fingers here, but the most likely culprit won’t be a wildfire but fireworks. All those bright lights can kick up some serious particulate matter and send those monitors from green to red or higher.
If you’re out and about and want to check air quality, download the OregonAIR app on your phone.
Now’s also a great time to brush up on how wildfire smoke can affect your health. Check out the smoke and health tab above for more resources. People with asthma should have an asthma action plan to better control and prevent asthma attacks.
Remember, fireworks don’t just kick up a lot of smoke they can also be a fire hazard. The Office of State Fire Marshal encourages Oregonians to “keep it legal and keep it safe” when using fireworks. Learn more.
 |
| Photo credit: Zuza Galcznska |