Air Quality Alert Lifted For Portland, Not For S. Oregon

MEDFORD, OR — The air quality advisory related to the abundance of smoke currently smothering a vast swath of southern Oregon communities was extended by the Department of Environmental Quality on Friday. Advisories previously issued for Portland, parts of Northeast Oregon, and the Willamette Valley have been allowed to expire due to improved conditions, officials said.

Wildfires burning across the state forced Oregon's DEQ to begin issuing air quality alerts around mid-July. Since then, smoke levels have varied but the quality of air content has stayed a primary concern in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties, officials said.

Current air quality conditions designated "unhealthy for sensitive groups" apply to the cities of Medford, Ashland, and Lakeview, while "unhealthy" conditions for all persist in Shady Cove, Chiloquin, and Klamath Falls.

Oregonians can keep track of the air quality in their local area by visiting the DEQ's Air Quality Index online, or via the OregonAir app for smartphones. Additionally, daily updates and forecasts for smoke levels are available at the Oregon Smoke Blog.

The Oregon DEQ offered the following tips and suggestions for avoiding or otherwise protecting yourself from exposure to smoke and bad air:

• Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid the places with highest concentrations.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions.
• If you have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory ailments, or are over 65, you have a higher risk of illness from wildfire smoke.
• Small children and pregnant women are also at increased risk. These residents are encouraged to stay indoors.
• People suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems should follow their breathing management plans or contact their healthcare providers.

(Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Portland Patch)

Image via Shutterstock