QUICK
FACTS
Location: Southern
Josephine County
End date: Tuesday,
Aug. 9
Smoke source: Wildfires in Northern California
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Monday through Tuesday for Southern Josephine County, including Cave Junction, due to smoke from wildfires in Northern California.
** Información en español **
DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last at least through Tuesday. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in the area. Parts of Oregon close to active wildfires may also be impacted intermittently by smoke this week, such as Oakridge in eastern Lane County due to fires in the central Cascades.
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 people.
Protect yourself
and your family when smoke levels are high:
- Stay
inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed.
If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to
a cooler location.
- Avoid
strenuous outdoor activity.
- Use high
efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or
portable air purifiers. 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.
- When
air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air
Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses.
- If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.
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 selected and worn. Select a NIOSH-approved respirator with a N, R, or P alongside the number 95, 99 or 100. Learn how to put on and use a respirator. Respirators won’t work for children as they don’t come in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before wearing a respirator.
· Find a cleaner
air space in your area: Visit 211info.org and search for “Wildfire Related Clean Air
Shelters.” Or call 211 any time or day.
· Learn more about protecting your health during wildfires
Media contacts:
·
Dylan Darling, DEQ
public affairs specialist, 541-600-6119, dylan.darling@deq.oregon.gov
Smoke rises from the McKinney Fire in Northern California on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022 Photo Credit: InciWeb.