DEQ issues air stagnation advisory for most of Oregon
UPDATED: advisory now includes parts of include Central and Eastern Oregon, including Arlington, The Dalles, Boardman, Hermiston, Dayville, Wallowa, John Day, Mitchell, Monument, Spray, Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Heppner, Condon, Fossil, Dufur, Maupin, Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air stagnation advisory for parts of South Oregon on Thursday. The advisory is based on the latest information from the National Weather Service and is in effect from 7 p.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. on Saturday Jan. 14.
The advisory includes parts of Eastern Curry County and Josephine and Jackson counties and the inland valley cities of Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Medford, Merlin, Gold Hill, Williams and Ashland. Forecasters expect an inversion over these areas, conditions which include high pressure, cold surface temperatures and limited mixing in the air. During an inversion, smoke can be trapped at ground level where people breathe.
DEQ asks people in the affected areas to limit outdoor burning and the use of uncertified woodstoves. DEQ urges people who have alternative heating options not use woodstoves or fireplaces. Information on woodstoves and woodstove smoke: www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/
Numerous scientific studies have linked smoke pollution to a variety of problems including coughing, aggravated asthma, bronchitis and irregular heartbeat. Health officials recommend that young children, pregnant women, asthma sufferers, those with lung or heart conditions and adults age 65 and older limit vigorous outdoor activity. Pollution levels tend to be highest during evening and morning hours.
Visit DEQ's Air Quality Index for current conditions: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx
View the advisory issued by the National Weather Service: http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=ORZ026&warncounty=ORC029&firewxzone=ORZ622&local_place1=4%20Miles%20ENE%20Phoenix%20OR&product1=Air+Stagnation+Advisory⪫=42.2984&lon=-122.7346#.WHgi1dIrKUk
Contact
Greg Svelund, Public Affairs Specialist, 541-633-2008, svelund.greg@deq.state.or.us
