Press Release
Date: July 15, 2014
Media Contact: Jim
Carey/Ramona Quinn Phone: (541)-883-1122
Wildfires Continue to Cause
Unhealthy Air Quality in Klamath County
Klamath Falls, Or. – Public
Health officials urge Klamath County residents to take precautions as the air
quality may reach potentially unhealthy levels. The Moccasin Fire is currently not
contained and appears to be sending smoke into the Sprague River, Chiloquin and
Lakeview areas. Hourly smoke concentrations are varying from good to moderate.
With the arrival of winds from the north, we believe the smoke levels may rise
to unhealthy levels today and continue into Saturday in all Klamath Basin areas.
Klamath County Public Health is
advising residents in Sprague River, Chiloquin, Klamath Falls, Lakeview, Merrill
and Malin to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommendations and urge local residents to take the following precautions to
avoid breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke:
Check local Air Quality
Index for information about conditions at http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx . When you
have no computer access, if you are unable to see familiar landmarks 5 miles or
less away, the air quality may be in the unhealthy category. If unhealthy conditions are present:
·
Reduce the
amount of time spent outdoors. This
can usually provide some protection, especially in a tightly closed,
air-conditioned house in which the air conditioner can be set to re-circulate
air instead of bringing in outdoor air. Staying inside with the doors and
windows closed can usually reduce exposure.
·
Avoid strenuous
outdoor activity.
·
Reduce other
sources of indoor air pollution. Some
indoor sources of air pollution can emit large amounts of the same pollutants
present in wildfire smoke. Indoor sources such as burning cigarettes, gas,
propane and wood burning stoves and furnaces, and activities such as cooking,
burning candles, and vacuuming can greatly increase the particle levels in a
home. These sources of indoor air pollution should be avoided when wildfire
smoke is present.
·
Do not rely on
dust masks for protection. Paper
“comfort” or “dust” masks commonly found at hardware stores are designed to
trap large particles, but will not offer protection from smoke. An “N95” mask
work properly will offer some protection.
Individuals with lung conditions such as asthma or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease should follow their health care provider’s advice
about prevention and treatment of symptoms. When smoke levels are high enough,
even healthy people may experience symptoms. Remember, local smoke levels can
rise and fall rapidly depending on weather factors such as wind direction.
People can conduct a visual assessment of smoke levels to quickly get a sense
of air quality levels and take precautions. If people have additional concerns,
they should contact the nearest local public health agency for the latest in
threats to health conditions from smoke.
The U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency's scale for rating air quality
|
Air Quality
Rating |
Air Quality Index (AQI)
|
PM2.5 1-hour
Average (µg/m3)
|
PM2.5 24-hour
Average (µg/m3)
|
Visibility Range
|
|
GOOD
|
0 - 50
|
0.0 - 40.4
|
0.0 - 12.0
|
Over 15 miles
|
|
MODERATE
|
51 - 100
|
40.5 - 80.4
|
12.1 - 35.4
|
5-15 miles
|
|
UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS
|
101 - 150
|
80.5 - 175.4
|
35.5 - 55.4
|
Under 5 miles
|
|
UNHEALTHY
|
151 - 200
|
175.5 - 300.4
|
55.5 - 150.4
|
Under 3 miles
|
|
VERY UNHEALTHY
|
201 - 300
|
300.5 - 500.4
|
150.5 - 250.4
|
Under 1 mile
|
|
HAZARDOUS
|
>300
|
>500.5
|
>250.5
|
HAZARDOUS
|
|
Table 1. The Air
Quality Index (AQI) is the EPA's scale for rating air quality
|
||||
You can find information about the fires as well as more
information on how to gage visibility in your area from these fires at the
following link. http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
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