FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2018
Contact: Ramona Quinn, rquinn@co.klamath.or.us  Valeree Lane, vlane@klamathcounty.org, 541.882.8846

Air quality forecast favorable for long weekend

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The containment of regional wildfires finds the local forecast for air quality to be positive. Klamath County Public Health officials are optimistic that Labor Day Weekend will find the air quality index in the moderate range.

Residents have seen long stretches of poor air quality since July. Air quality has improved significantly since Wednesday. Some smoke intrusion is still expected.

Residents are encouraged to visit https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map to learn the current air quality index. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern. The six levels of health concern and what they mean are:

·         Good is 0 to 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.

·         Moderate is 51 to 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people.

·         Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups is 101 to 150. Although the general public is not likely to be affected at this range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.

·         Unhealthy is 151 to 200. Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.

·         Very Unhealthy is 201 to 300. This would trigger a health alert signifying that everyone may experience more serious health effects.

·         Hazardous is greater than 300. This would trigger a health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

Weather conditions and smoke levels can vary dramatically during wildfires. Conditions can change as frequently as hourly.

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