ALL WOODSTOVES, PELLET STOVES AND FIREPLACES MAY BE USED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE AQ ZONE as per Klamath County Ordinance 406.100.

OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE AIR QUALITY ZONE as per Klamath County Ordinance 406.150 (2). Check with your local fire district for outdoor burning outside the air quality zone. Chiloquin fire district has closed all outdoor burning until october 2018.

 

 During a Wildfire

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Take your disaster supply kit, lock your home and choose a route away from the fire hazard. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of the fire and smoke. Tell someone when you left and where you are going.

If you see a wildfire and haven't received evacuation orders yet, call 9-1-1. Don't assume that someone else has already called. Describe the location of the fire, speak slowly and clearly, and answer any questions asked by the dispatcher.

If you are not ordered to evacuate, and have time to prepare your home, FEMA recommends you take the following actions:

·         Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area in case you need to evacuate.

·         Wear protective clothing when outside – sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief to protect your face.

·         Gather fire tools such as a rake, axe, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket and shovel.

·         Close outside attic, eaves and basement vents, windows, doors, pet doors, etc. Remove flammable drapes and curtains. Close all shutters, blinds or heavy non-combustible window coverings to reduce radiant heat.

·         Close all doors inside the house to prevent draft. Open the damper on your fireplace, but close the fireplace screen.

·         Shut off any natural gas, propane or fuel oil supplies at the source.

·         Connect garden hoses to outdoor water faucet and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs or other large containers with water.

·         Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Leave sprinklers on and dowsing these structures as long as possible. Be mindful of water use restrictions for areas affected by wildfires.

·         If you have gas-powered pumps for water, make sure they are fueled and ready.

·         Place a ladder against the house in clear view.

·         Disconnect any automatic garage door openers so that doors can still be opened by hand if the power goes out. Close all garage doors.

·         Place valuable papers, mementos and anything "you can't live without" inside the car in the garage, ready for quick departure. Any pets still with you should also be put in the car.

·         Place valuables that will not be damaged by water in a pool or pond.

·         Move flammable furniture into the center of the residence away from the windows and sliding-glass doors.

·         Turn on outside lights and leave a light on in every room to make the house more visible in heavy smoke.

 

ALL WOODSTOVES, PELLET STOVES AND FIREPLACES MAY BE USED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE AQ ZONE as per Klamath County Ordinance 406.100.

 

OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE AIR QUALITY ZONE as per Klamath County Ordinance 406.150 (2). Check with your local fire district for outdoor burning outside the air quality zone. Chiloquin fire district has closed all outdoor burning until october 2018.

                                                                        

 

2018 Air Quality Awareness Week (April 30, 2018 to May 4, 2018)

 

Before a Wildfire

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property in the event of a fire.

·         To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

·         Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it.

·         Use fire-resistant or noncombustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling, or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking or trim with fire-retardant chemicals evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

·         Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees.

·         Regularly clean roof and gutters.

·         Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stovepipes with a spark arrester that meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association Standard 211. (Contact your local fire department for exact specifications.)

·         Use 1/8-inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floor areas, and the home itself. Also, screen openings to floors, roof and attic.

·         Install a dual-sensor smoke alarm on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once each year.

·         Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and show them where it's kept.

·         Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, axe, handsaw or chain saw, bucket and shovel.

·         Keep a ladder that will reach the roof.

·         Consider installing protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes.

·         Clear items that will burn from around the house, including wood piles, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, etc. Move them outside of your defensible space.

Plan Your Water Needs                                                                                                         

·         Identify and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond, cistern, well, swimming pool, or hydrant.

·         Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures on the property.

·         Install freeze-proof exterior water outlets on at least two sides of the home and near other structures on the property. Install additional outlets at least 50 feet from the home.

·         Consider obtaining a portable gasoline powered pump in case electrical power is cut off.

Your best resource for proper planning is www.firewise.org which has outstanding information used daily by residents, property owners, fire departments, community planners, builders, public policy officials, water authorities, architects and others to assure safety from fire - it really works. Firewise workshops are offered for free all across the nation in communities large and small and free Firewise materials can be obtained easily by anyone interested

 

 

GREEN” The Air Quality Advisory for today Tuesday May 1st, TO NOON, tomorrow Wednesday May 2nd IS GREEN. 

                                  

The Green Advisory Call means:  

 

1.    ALL WOODSTOVES, PELLET STOVES AND FIREPLACES MAY BE USED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE AQ ZONE as per Klamath County Ordinance 406.100.

 

2.    OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE AIR QUALITY ZONE as per Klamath County Ordinance 406.150 (2). 

 

 

3.    OUTDOOR OR OPEN BURNING IS ALLOWED OUTSIDE THE AIR QUALITY ZONE as per oar# 340-264-0060 (3) and Klamath County Ordinance # 406.100 (4)(E), You must have a permit for outdoor burning in Chiloquin. Call Chiloquin’s Fire District office for a permit Do not burn trash.

 

 

 

 

2018 Air Quality Awareness Week (April 30, 2018 to May 4, 2018)

 

Talking Points on Asthma and Wildfires

 

Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic lung diseases, including asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.

 

Groups at heightened risk for health problems from smoke exposure include children, older adults and anyone with lung diseases. Children are particularly susceptible to smoke because their respiratory systems are still developing and they breathe in more air—and consequently more pollution—per pound of body mass than adults.

 

The Oregon Public Health Division recommends individuals who are sensitive to smoke exposure take the following precautions:

 

• 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.
        

• Reduce the amount of time engaged in vigorous outdoor physical activity. This can be an important and effective strategy to lower the dose of inhaled air pollutants and minimize health risks during a smoke event.
   
• Reduce other sources of indoor air pollution. Many 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 incense, and vacuuming can greatly increase the particle levels in a home and should be avoided during high pollution or when wildfire smoke is present.

 

Individuals with lung diseases such as asthma should follow their health care providers' advice about prevention and treatment of symptoms, including using the full spectrum of medications their doctor has prescribed to control them. Those with an asthma action plan should follow it closely and monitor their breathing and exposure to airborne matter.

 

Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact a health care provider for further advice, or call 911 in an emergency.