Smoke from Douglas County fires drifting south into Ashland

Ashland.news staff report

Smoke from wildfires in Douglas County prompted issuance of an air quality advisory on Saturday evening by Jackson County Public Health, effective through Monday, July 22. Depending on weather patterns and fire activity, air quality could be impacted for longer, the announcement said.

In addition, a red flag warning was declared for 5 p.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Sunday in a number of Southern Oregon areas, including Ashland, due to the chance of  “abundant lightning on dry fuels,” the National Weather Service announced mid-day Saturday. Given how dry fuels are, along with continued hot temperatures, lightning efficiency will be high to very high for fire starts, NWS cautioned in its announcement.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during the warning period which would promote rapid spread of fire which may become life threatening.

Smoke levels can quickly rise and fall depending on weather factors, including wind direction and the amount of smoke produced by the wildfire, the announcement said. Wildfires burning in neighboring counties and states impact the air quality in Jackson County.

Air quality advisory

Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants that are harmful to human health. Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. 

Breathing in wildfire smoke can immediately affect a person’s health, causing coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, headaches, tiredness, chest pain, and fast heartbeat.

Populations known to be vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposures include:

• Children less than 18 years;

• Adults age 65 years or older;

• Pregnant women;

• People with chronic health conditions such as heart or lung disease, including asthma and diabetes;

• Outdoor workers;

• People of low socioeconomic status

During a wildfire smoke event, Jackson County Public Health Officials advise people to take the following precautions:

• Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid the places with the highest concentrations.

• Stay indoors with doors and windows closed. Whether you have a central air conditioning system or a room unit, use high-efficiency filters to capture fine particles from smoke. Ask an air conditioning professional what type of high-efficiency filter your air conditioner can accept.

• Create a “clean room” in your home. Choose a room with no fireplace and as few windows and doors as possible, such as a bedroom. Use a portable air cleaner in the room.

• Maintain good indoor air quality by avoiding smoking inside, using gas, wood‐burning stoves or furnaces, aerosol sprays, frying or broiling meat, burning candles or incense, and vacuuming.

• The Oregon Health Authority has an air conditioner and air filter deployment program for people living in Jackson County who are currently or recently eligible for medical assistance.

• Temporarily leave the area and go to an area with cleaner air. Go to public indoor areas with cleaner air space.

• Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated can keep your airways moist, which will help reduce symptoms of respiratory irritation such as scratchy throat, running nose, and coughing.

• Have a supply of NIOSH-approved respirators and learn how to use them. If you choose to wear a respirator, select a particulate respirator marked with the word “NIOSH.” If it has an “N,” “R,” or “P” along with the number 95, 99, or 100 printed on it, it is appropriate to use. They are sold at many home improvement stores and online.

Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.