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

       The data displayed are the most current available.

       All readings are preliminary and unvalidated. Following final review, all values are subject to change.

       New AQI readings will be available at approximately 15-20 minutes past the hour. The AQI map will refresh asynchronously at this time.

       The units ppm and µg/m³ stand for parts per million and micrograms per cubic meter, respectively. Both are used in the measurement of air pollutant concentration.

 

 

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/

Using visibility to estimate health effects during a wildfire

(from DEQ's website: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/wildfires/visibility.htm)

DEQ monitors air pollution throughout the state to ensure that air quality standards are being met. Since wildfires often occur in remote areas, air monitoring equipment may not be available. Smoke levels can rise and fall rapidly, depending on weather factors including wind direction. Making visual observations using the 5-3-1 visibility index is a simple way of estimating smoke levels and what precautions to take. While this method can be a useful tool, persons should always use caution and avoid going outside if visibility is limited, especially persons who may be sensitive to smoke.

Estimating visibility using the 5-3-1 Index

Determine the limit of your visual range by looking for distant targets or familiar landmarks such as mountains, mesas, hills, or buildings at known distances (miles). The visual range is that point at which these targets are no longer visible. Ideally, the viewing of any distance targets should be made with the sun behind you. Looking into the sun or at an angle increases the ability of sunlight to reflect off of the smoke, and thus making the visibility estimate less reliable.

Once distance has been determined, follow this simple guide:

If over 15 miles:  The air quality is generally good.

Between 5-15 miles:  Air quality is moderate and beginning to deteriorate, and is generally healthy, except possibly for smoke sensitive persons. The general public should avoid prolonged exposure if conditions are smoky to the point where visibility is closer to the 5 mile range.

If under 5 miles:  The air quality is unhealthy for young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness. These people should minimize outdoor activity.

If under 3 miles:  The air quality is unhealthy for everyone. Young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness should avoid all outdoor activities.

If under 1 mile:  The air quality is very unhealthy, and in some cases may be hazardous. Everyone should avoid all outdoor activities. 

Using the 5-3-1 Visibility Index
Distance you can see*	You are:			You have:
	An adult A teenager An older child	Age 65 and over Pregnant A young child	OR	Asthma Respiratory illness Lung or heart disease
5 miles	check visibility	minimize outdoor activity
3 miles	minimize outdoor activity	stay inside
1 mile	stay inside	stay inside
No matter how far you can see, if you feel like you are having health effects from smoke exposure, take extra care to stay inside or get to an area with better air quality.You should also see your doctor or other health professional as needed.
* less reliable under high humidity conditions

Source: Oregon Wildfire Response Protocol for Severe Smoke Episodes, version 2.0, June 3, 2014

Bryant Fire Update

South Central Oregon Incident Management Team, Leland Hunter

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2014 (9 a.m.)

Fire Information

 

 

 

Bryant Fire

·         The fire has grown to 800 acres and is burning in pine, slash on a northeast aspect.

·         Firefighters worked through the night trying to get a line around as much of the fire as they could but spotting continues to be an issue.

·         Predicted heat and winds will add to the complexity of this fire.

·         At this time there is no containment.

·         There are structures in the area, however none are in immediate danger. The Klamath County Fire Chief John Ketchum will be working with local fire department to provide structural protection assessment and needs.

·         A Type 2 State Fire Team has been ordered and will take the management of the fire at 6 p.m. this evening.

·         Additional resources are needed and orders are pending.

·         Private landowner JWTR is assisting in the fire suppression efforts with the use of their personnel and equipment.

·         Please try to avoid the fire area as there are multiple vehicles used for fire suppression and they vary in size, making many of the roads single lane.

Location: Private Lands Bryant Fire

Date Started: June 19, 2014

Cause: Under investigation

Size:  800 acres

Containment:  0%

Injuries: 0

Total Personnel: 150

Resources: Handcrews: Winema Hotshots and Crew 7 Water Tenders: 3 Dozers: 3 Engines: 9 Air Support: Helitack Crew Overhead:15

 

For information, you can contact, Lakeview Interagency Fire Center (541) 947-6223

 

Inciweb Website: www.inciweb.org/incident/

 

Bryant Fire Update

South Central Oregon Incident Management Team, Leland Hunter

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2014 (9 a.m.)

Fire Information

Bryant Fire

·         The fire has grown to 800 acres and is burning in pine, slash on a northeast aspect.

·         Firefighters worked through the night trying to get a line around as much of the fire as they could but spotting continues to be an issue.

·         Predicted heat and winds will add to the complexity of this fire.

·         At this time there is no containment.

·         There are structures in the area, however none are in immediate danger. The Klamath County Fire Chief John Ketchum will be working with local fire department to provide structural protection assessment and needs.

·         A Type 2 State Fire Team has been ordered and will take the management of the fire at 6 p.m. this evening.

·         Additional resources are needed and orders are pending.

·         Private landowner JWTR is assisting in the fire suppression efforts with the use of their personnel and equipment.

·         Please try to avoid the fire area as there are multiple vehicles used for fire suppression and they vary in size, making many of the roads single lane.

Location: Private Lands Bryant Fire

Date Started: June 19, 2014

Cause: Under investigation

Size:  800 acres

Containment:  0%

Injuries: 0

Total Personnel: 150

Resources: Handcrews: Winema Hotshots and Crew 7 Water Tenders: 3 Dozers: 3 Engines: 9 Air Support: Helitack Crew Overhead:15

 

For information, you can contact, Lakeview Interagency Fire Center (541) 947-6223

 

Inciweb Website: www.inciweb.org/incident/

 

For breaking news during the South Central Oregon’s fire season, please visit: twitter.com/scofmpfireinfo or facebook.com/scofmpfireinfo

Spring 2014 OPEN BURNING WINDOW ENDS

 

The 2014 Spring Open Burning Window within the Klamath County Air Quality Zone ended on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at  5:00 pm. Outdoor burning will not be allowed inside the air quality zone after 5:00 p.m. Saturday April 19.  

The Klamath County Free Cleanup day will be Saturday May 10, 2014, for yard debris. Residential yard waste, such as tree limbs, brush, and leaves may be taken to the county Landfill from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Outdoor burning of residential yard waste, such as tree limbs, brush, and leaves is allowed OUTSIDE the Air Quality Zone with your local Fire Districts approval.

The Log Rack Preparing Your Wood Stove for Spring and Summer

Spring is here and the weather is warmer, now is the time to inspect and clean your wood burning stove. Starting from the top inspect your chimney cap if you have a screen mesh on the cap make sure it is in tact. If you don’t have a screen on the cap you might want to consider putting one on the cap to keep birds and insects from entering your chimney. Check your chimney for creosote, after a long hard winter’s burning it is time to clean your chimney. Thoroughly clean the chimney inspecting your chimney pipe and flue tiles. Take a good look at your black pipe, after a few years of burning the pipe will need to be replaced. Black chimney pipe will start to corrode from heat and creosote build up. By squeezing the sides of the pipe if it starts to feel soft then it needs to be replaced. Remove all ash from the wood stove firebox. You can use a shop vacuum with a micro filter. Inspect any moving parts inside your stove such as dampers and inside air controls. It is a good idea to oil these parts to prevent rust during the summer months. A light coating of oil will help to keep these parts moving. If any parts need to be replaced now is the time to order them from your local stove shop. It may take a while to get these parts in and you don’t want to wait till fall to replace them. Check the fiberglass gasket around the doors and window glass. The gasket is designed to keep your wood stove air tight. Use the dollar bill test. Open the door and place a dollar bill over the gasket and close the door. If you can pull out the dollar bill then it is no longer air tight and needs to be replaced. Worn out gaskets can allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. If your wood stove has a firebrick lining inspect them for crumbling. If they are just cracked you don’t have to replace them. The firebricks sole purpose is to retain and radiate heat. If the firebricks have crumbled you may want to replace them. If your wood stove has a catalytic combustor you will want to remove and clean it. If you notice that it is crumbling it is time to replace it. A worn out catalytic combustor decreases the efficiency of your wood stove and puts more pollutants into the air. You might want to consider putting a fresh coat of paint on your wood stove. Make sure you use high temperature stove paint. Over the years the black paint lightens and turns grey. There are many designer colors available for wood stoves to match any décor. Now that you have thoroughly cleaned and inspected your wood stove you may want to consider putting a fireplace deodorant into the firebox. During the spring rains moisture will condense in your chimney and run down the pipe. This will bring the smoke and creosote smell into your home. The fireplace deodorant lasts a few months and will eliminate the smell.

Amendments to Oregon Smoke Management Plan and the Oregon State Implementation Plan for Air Quality

 

Oregonians have the chance to comment on the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, a document that outlines ways to manage and minimize the impacts of smoke all across the state. The plan specifically aims to reduce the public health risks caused by prescribed forest burning, while at the same time trying to reduce forest fuels that can cause major wildfires. Each year the Department of Forestry manages approximately 150,000 acres of prescribed forestry burning across the state, much of which in close proximity to populated areas.  Many residents contact DEQ about smoke in their community, and this is an opportunity for people to comment on the proposed changes to the plan.  Some of the proposed changes include:

 

·         Additional provisions to protect visibility at Crater Lake National Park and the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, both Oregon Class I areas.

·         Additional provisions to encourage greater use of alternatives to burning and emission reduction techniques.

·         Eliminating the La Grande Special Protection Zone and reducing the size of the Medford SPZ boundary.

·         Smoke monitoring for prescribed burns over 2,000 tons.

 

DEQ and ODF will hold several public hearings at these locations on this rulemaking:

 

1.      La Grande, Oregon

The La Grande Library, 2006 4^th St

Time:  6 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2014

 

2.      Bend, Oregon

DEQ Eastern Region Office

475 NE Bellevue, Suite 110

Time:  6 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2014

 

3.      Veneta, Oregon

Lane Fire Authority, 88050 Territorial Hwy

Time:  6 p.m.

Date:  Tuesday, March 4, 2014  

 

4.      White City, Oregon

Jackson County Roads & Parks, 200 Antelope Rd

Time:  6 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2014

 

5.      Klamath Falls, Oregon

CU Auditorium, OIT, 3201 Campus Dr.

Time:  6 p.m.

Date: Thursday, March 6, 2014  

 

Click here to view the rulemaking documents. Oral and written comments will be accepted at the hearing. There will be a brief presentation of the proposal before inviting your spoken or written comment. Written comments may be submitted anytime to DEQ through the online comment forms accessible through the website or as described in the rule packages, but comments must be received no later than 5:00 pm on March 12, 2014.