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UPDATE: Air quality advisory for south, central and northeast Oregon through at least Friday

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QUICK FACTS


Location: Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Union and Wallowa counties as well as parts of Deschutes and Douglas counties

End date: Friday, July 16

Smoke source: Bootleg Fire near Fuego Mountain, Jack Fire near Hwy 138, Grandview Fire north of Bend, and other fires in Washington and Idaho

Updated on July 14. Updates shown in underline and italics.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Monday for Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Union and Wallowa counties as well as parts of Deschutes and Douglas counties due to smoke from the Bootleg Fire in Klamath County, the Jack Fire in Douglas County and Grandview Fire in Jefferson County.

** Información en español **

DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until at least Friday. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in these impacted areas. Smoke levels are expected to fluctuate during the day. Open your windows and doors when air quality is good to bring fresh air inside.

If you are planning to leave your home and go somewhere with better air quality, remember to drive safely – turn your lights on and set your air to recirculate.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone. 

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 women.

Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high: 

  • Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
  • Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifies. Or create your own air purifying filter by following these instructions.
  • Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels. 
  • If you have heart or lung disease or asthma, follow your healthcare provider’s advice. 

Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their doctor before wearing a respirator. Get more information about protecting your health during wildfires.

Media contact: 

Lauren Wirtis, DEQ Public Affairs Specialist, Lauren.Wirtis@deq.state.or.us, 503-568-3295 

Tribal and local contacts:


Jack Fire, July 8, 2021. Photo credit: U.S. Forest Service