Klamath County Public Health

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ISSUED AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY FOR KLAMATH COUNTY 

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is issuing an air stagnation advisory for Klamath and Lake Counties through the morning of Thursday, January 3, 2019. 

The air stagnation advisory predicts there will be little or no wind in the Klamath Basin.  Smoke and other airborne pollution will increase in concentration, causing a build-up that will not be carried out of the basin. The increase in airborne pollution can be unhealthy for outdoor physical activity and may contribute to health problems including coughing or aggravated asthma. The current air quality index, which gives current air quality conditions along with related health concerns and precautions, is available at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/

To reduce pollution buildup, the Klamath County Air Quality and Burning Advisory is red, starting at 8:00pm today, December 31, 2018 that will remain in effect until noon on Thursday, January 3, 2019.  Please check the advisory each day for possible updates at https://www.klamathcounty.org/383/Air-Quality

The red air quality advisory means:

Inside the Air Quality Zone:

·         The use of wood-burning fireplaces, certified and non-certified woodstoves and fireplace inserts is prohibited.

·         Only pellet stoves may be used.

 

Outside the Air Quality Zone:

·         We ask that residents outside the Air Quality Zone use an alternate source of heat especially during the overnight hours.

·         Burn only very dry wood and burn small hot fires. Do not allow your woodstove to smolder at night. Please monitor your woodstove emissions to assure that smoke does not build up in the community. Consider using biobricks to limit emissions if your wood is not dry.

·         Pellet stoves may be used.

 

County wide: Outdoor or open burning is prohibited.

Enforcement patrols will be operating during this period; information and fines may be issued. Klamath County is in nonattainment status with the Environmental Protection Agency for Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) standards. Air quality must be kept within standards. Please help by following the advisory each day.

If you have questions on the boundaries of the Air Quality Zone, consult the Klamath County web site at https://www.klamathcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/1019/Map-of-the-Air-Quality-Zone-PDF.

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