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News Release
For release: November 28, 2008 Contacts: DEQ Issues Air Pollution Advisory For Portions of Eastern and Southwestern Oregon Communities affected include Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, Hermiston and The Dalles The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is issuing an air pollution advisory through noon on Monday, Dec. 1 due to stagnant air conditions over eastern and southwestern Oregon. Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and Klamath Falls already have been experiencing stagnant conditions, while Pendleton, Hermiston and The Dalles will be experiencing stagnant conditions beginning this afternoon.This advisory may be extended if conditions persist. DEQ asks that people limit open burning and the use of uncertified woodstoves and urges people who have alternative heating options not to burn in woodstoves or fireplaces. People should also refrain from outdoor burning, and limit driving and vehicle idling. As a public health precaution, DEQ also recommends that young children, pregnant women, asthma sufferers, those with lung or heart conditions and the elderly curtail outdoor activity. Individuals likely to be affected should check with their doctor should asthma or other medical conditions be aggravated. According to the National Weather Service, a ridge of high pressure will bring strong inversions and poor ventilation to area valleys and remain over the region into next week, allowing little or no mixing of the air and trapping pollutants near the surface. Communities in the affected areas include most of southwest and eastern Oregon. Although the National Weather Service has issued an air stagnation advisory for the Columbia Basin, Rogue Valley and Klamath Basin, other communities are likely to be affected by stagnant conditions. These communities include Lakeview, Roseburg, Burns, John Day, La Grande, Baker City, Ontario, Prineville, Redmond, Madras and Bend. Similar precautions should be taken in these communities. DEQ may call periodic air pollution advisories during the winter due to stagnant air. Pollutants trapped near the surface can steadily increase in concentration toward unhealthful levels due to inadequate air mixing. DEQ’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded tool that shows air pollution levels. Green is good, yellow is moderate, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and red is unhealthy for all groups. Klamath Falls reached the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (orange) category earlier today, and many other communities in southwest or eastern Oregon are experiencing elevated pollution levels. People can get a comprehensive, area-wide recorded National Weather Service report at www.weather.gov. For the most up-to-date air quality information in your area, contact the closest NWS office:
Local radio stations and The Weather Channel in affected areas may also include the very latest air stagnation information in news programming and weather reports. Persons in southwest and eastern Oregon, including those in Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Pendleton, La Grande, Burns, John Day, Lakeview and Klamath Falls, can access local air quality advisories by checking the local media outlets to determine conditions for those specific areas. To see current pollution levels in Oregon, visit DEQ’s Web site at http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx. For real-time, hourly, raw data particulate (PM 2.5) values available 24/7 for locations throughout Oregon, visit http://www.deq.state.or.us/lab/aqm/rt/rtHourlyConc.aspx and click on the drop-down menu to locate your community. Information about smoke pollution is available on the DEQ Web site at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/index.htm. |
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