Air Quality Update

Air quality conditions this afternoon have slightly improved since this morning but are still unhealthy for sensitive groups. Remember, open and outdoor burning is prohibited.

The best thing to do is to limit your exposure to the smoke.

• Stay indoors whenever possible, 
• Use air conditioners 
• Close your windows in your house and in your car 
• Minimize other sources of air pollution such as smoking tobacco, using wood burning stoves, burning candles or incense and vacuuming. Staying hydrated (by drinking lots of water) 

Station 10118
Klamath Falls - Peterson School

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Air Quality Rating:	UFSG
Air Quality Index:	137
Critical Pollutant:	PM 2.5
Concentration:	50.1 µg/m3
Last Report:	Aug 6 2013 2:00PM PDT
Information:	Smoke in area. Wildfire Air Quality Rating (WAQR) used for PM 2.5.

Wildfires and Unhealthy Air Continue

Current air quality remains unhealthy. At 7AM, PM2.5 levels were 89.6 ug/m3.

Instead of your morning run or walk outdoors, consider using a treadmill or doing other exercises inside. It is important to limit outdoor activities during periods of poor air quality.

Fire conditions in Oregon according to Inciweb.org

According to Oregon Department of Forestry, wildfire potential remains extremely high in Klamath County and throughout southern Oregon. Remember that everyone has the responsibility to prevent wildfires.

• Never leave a campfire unattended. Currently, Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest is allowing campfires only in designated areas. Contact the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest or check out their website for a designated list.
• When camping, take care when using and fueling lanterns, stoves, and heaters.
• Avoid using cigarettes, cigars, or other lit products.
• Keep all types of vehicles off dry grass.

Unhealthy air returns

Despite some relief from poor air quality conditions this weekend, unhealthy air has returned to Klamath Falls. Current air quality conditions are unhealthy for everyone. Remember, no outdoor burning is allowed county wide. 

Make sure to keep those doors and windows closed today, and if you have an A/C set it to "recirculate" or "recycle".

Station 10118
Klamath Falls - Peterson School

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Air Quality Rating:	Unhealthy
Air Quality Index:	164
Critical Pollutant:	PM 2.5
Concentration:	80.6 µg/m3
Last Report:	Aug 5 2013 8:00AM PDT
Information:	Smoke in area. Wildfire Air Quality Rating (WAQR) used for PM 2.5.

AQ Update

Klamath County's Air Quality is expected to fluctuate between Moderate and Unhealthy levels throughout the weekend. For Hourly PM 2.5 Air Quality values, please check out the following link and select Klamath Falls Peterson School: http://www.deq.state.or.us/lab/aqm/rt/rtHourlyConc.aspx 

This will give you the most current readings from our local air quality monitor that is located at Peterson Elementary School.

If the PM 2.5 levels is at or above 35, the Air Quality Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (children, elderly, or people with heart and lung diseases and respiratory illnesses such as asthma).

Station 10118
Klamath Falls - Peterson School

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Air Quality Rating:	Moderate
Air Quality Index:	87
Critical Pollutant:	PM 2.5
Concentration:	29.3 µg/m3
Last Report:	Aug 2 2013 1:00PM PDT
Information:	Smoke in area. Wildfire Air Quality Rating (WAQR) used for PM 2.5.

Air Quality Update for Klamath County

The AQ Advisory from noon Friday August 2, 2013 until Noon on Monday August 5, 2013 is YELLOW.   No outdoor burning is allowed county wide.

Station 10118
Klamath Falls - Peterson School

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Air Quality Rating:	Moderate
Air Quality Index:	88
Critical Pollutant:	PM 2.5
Concentration:	29.7 µg/m3
Last Report:	Aug 2 2013 7:00AM PDT
Information:	Smoke in area. Wildfire Air Quality Rating (WAQR) used for PM 2.5

FRIDAY: The upper trough will continue to be centered over the western OR, with generally dry conditions and light winds, oriented mostly NW, expected in the fire regions. Accompanying this scenario will be an increase in mixing levels over inland areas. This scenario will likely improve smoke dispersion in areas not located east and southeast of active fires. Also, some areas near the coast will likely see reduced low cloud cover in the afternoon and warmer surface conditions. Elevated smoke levels will likely persist downwind of existing fires.

EXTENDED OUTLOOK: The upper level trough persists over the region Saturday and Sunday, but weakens. Low-level winds will likely be oriented N to NW. Areas to the south and SE of active fires will likely see significantly elevated levels of smoke particulates at times. Generally dry conditions are expected

Air Quality Monitoring Map      http://www.deq.state.or.us/lab/aqm/stations/kfp10118.htm

Public Health and Air Quality links

To view Klamath County Public Health's website, click here.

To view Klamath County Environmental Health's website and get air quality related materials (like the list of EPA certified stoves or the Clean Air Ordinance), click here.

To view the burn advisory, click here.

How bad is it outside?

At 9AM, our PM2.5 level was 83.1 ug/m3. Air quality is currently unhealthy for all groups; everyone should limit prolonged outdoor activity.

You don't have to understand PM2.5 levels or know how to read the local monitor to check air quality conditions this summer. Air quality conditions can be estimated by simply looking at your surroundings.

To check current air quality conditions, follow these simple steps:

1. Face away from the sun
2. Determine the limit of your visual range by looking for targets at known distances (miles). Visual range is that point at which even objects that are typically easily identifiable totally disappear (like Hogback, your neighbor's house, the "O" on the OIT hill)
3. Use the values below to determine smoke conditions