DEQ News Release

News Release

For release: September 24, 2009

Contacts:
Mark Fisher, Air Quality, Eastern Region, Bend, (541) 633-2022
Larry Calkins, Air Quality, Eastern Region, Hermiston, (541) 567-8297 x225
Jennifer Claussen, Air Quality, Western Region, Salem, (503) 378-5085
William Knight, Communications & Outreach, Portland, (503) 229-5680

Wildfire Smoke Impacts Southern and Central Oregon

Smoke from Southern Oregon Wildfires Prompting Air Quality Concern

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Concern about smoke and haze in low-lying areas of Central and Eastern Oregon, including Crater Lake, Bend, Redmond, Burns, Klamath and surrounding communities, is prompting the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to advise residents of protective measures they may take to mitigate breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke. Elevated smoke levels have also been detected as far inland as Sweet Home and Lyons near the Willamette Valley.

Smoke concentrations from active fires in southern and central Oregon, reached the “moderate” category overnight Tuesday on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Wildfire Air Quality Rating Scale (WAQR) in Bend. Levels climbed to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (children, elderly and people who suffer from asthma or other lung or heart conditions) in the Klamath Falls area. Levels are currently at “Unhealthy” in the Crater Lake Area.

Visit the Wildfire Air Quality Rating Scale: www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/wildfire/index.htm

Area residents can check DEQ’s Air Quality Index through the weekend for real-time air quality and health index readings.

Visit DEQ’s Air Quality Index: www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx .

For current conditions in Lane County visit the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency’s website at: http://www.lrapa.org .

DEQ reminds area residents – especially those individuals who may be sensitive to smoke – that there are precautions they can take to mitigate breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke. Additionally, there are helpful media and Web-related tools available (see below) that may help individuals determine when to take protective measures. People can also help by not contributing to the smoke by avoiding burning in their woodstoves, fireplaces or outdoors.

Smoke is made up of tiny particles (particulate matter) that can be harmful to breathe, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma and other lung or heart conditions. This particulate matter also reduces visibility, causing the haze that’s been noticeable in the area. Symptoms that people may experience from smoke include varying degrees of repeated coughing, shortness of breath, scratchy throat, wheezing, chest tightness, heart palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue, or lightheadedness.

Conditions can improve or worsen rapidly, depending on location. Should smoke events occur, environmental and health officials urge local residents to take the following precautions to reduce or eliminate breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke:

· Avoid smoke either by leaving the area or protecting yourself by staying indoors, closing all windows and doors and using a filter in your heating/cooling system that removes very fine particulate matter (less than PM2.5)

· Avoid strenuous outdoor activity

· Asthma sufferers or those who suffer from other respiratory problems should follow their asthma or breathing management plan or contact your health provider

· Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid those areas with highest concentrations

For more information area media and residents are also encouraged to:

· Contact the nearest regional or local public health agency for the latest in health conditions from smoke. Wildfire smoke forecasts are issued daily by the Oregon Department of Forestry when significant wildfires are occurring. Visit: www.odf.state.or.us/DIVISIONS/protection/fire_protection/daily/wfsmoke.asp .

· Visit the National Weather Service Forecast Office seven day hazardous weather outlook (includes smoke outlook) at: www.wrh.noaa.gov/pdt/currentHazards/graphicalHazards.php?wfo=pdt&tab=1&lang=eng .

· Contact the NWS in Pendleton at 541-276-7832 for 24 hour weather information throughout the region, and an opportunity to speak with a forecaster, or visit www.wrh.noaa.gov/pendleton .

· A comprehensive, area-wide, recorded NWS weather report is available at (541) 276-0103. Contact the National Weather Service at Boise at (208) 334-9860 or visit on the web at: www.weather.gov/view/states.php?state=id&map=on .

· Tune to local radio and TV stations and the Weather Channel in affected areas that may include the very latest fire information in news programming and weather reports. Obtain a dedicated NOAA Weather Radio receiver which will alert you 24 hours a day to hazards in your area.

· View DEQ’s Wildfire Air Quality Rating Scale (WAQR) at: www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/wildfire/index.htm .

· Determine action levels and protective measures at: www.deq.state.or.us/er/docs/localprojects/WildfiresandAQFS070606.pdf .

· Visit www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/wildfires/visibility.htm on how to use visibility to measure health effects.

· Determine what areas are being impacted by visiting the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center’s Large Fire Information Summary at: www.nwccweb.us/information/fire_info.asp . View the Interactive fire weather planning forecast at: www.wrh.noaa.gov/pdt/forecast/fireWeather.php?wfo=pdt .