C.O. smoke eases – but air ‘very unhealthy’ in John Day

As winds shifted and air quality improved in much of Central Oregon on Saturday, the large wildfire threatening John Day turned their air quality “very unhealthy,” official readings indicated.

Smoke from the over 19,000-acre County Line 2 Fire on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation streamed southeastward Thursday into the Prineville area, which recorded “unhealthy” air quality levels Thursday night.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning Friday for noon to 11 p.m., warning a cold front was bringing shifting winds that could gust to 40 mph — which cleared out much of the smoke but also caused problems on wildfires burning at Warm Springs and around the state.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Index map showed Prineville’s particulate-matter station at Davidson Park had a 9 p.m. Thursday 24-hour air quality index of 166, and a one-hour reading of 158, both in the category of unhealthy for anyone.

The one-hour reading two hours later was a bit better, 144, which is labeled as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” such as asthma or younger children.

By comparison, the 24-hour readings were of “moderate” air quality in Sisters and Madras, and good air quality in Bend. The smoke swirling through the state from several wildfires has numerous locations in the moderate category of air quality and a relative few in the good category.

By Friday morning, Prineville’s 24-hour reading remained “unhealthy” while the one-hour reading was down to the “moderate” category, while Madras was in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on the 24-hour reading and “moderate” for the latest hour. Bend and Sisters both had “good” one-hour readings and “moderate” air quality for the 24-hour period.

On KTVZ’s Facebook page, many were reporting the very smoking conditions in Prineville.

“Choking here in P-ville,” said Monty Smith. “Ash in the air and too smoky to open windows, so sweltering in the heat, too. Asthma flaring up of course. Ugh!”

Madras residents also reported smoky conditions.

Crook County public health officials issued a news release Friday urging people across the county to take precautions as smoke from wildfires affects the air quality.

“Wildfire smoke area may increase the risk of illness especially for older adults, young children, and people with asthma, respiratory, or heart conditions,” said Muriel DeLaVergne-Brown, RN, MPH, Health Department Director.

Public health officials urge all Crook County residents to take the following precautions to avoid health problems during hot, smoky conditions.

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.
Reduce the amount of time engaged in vigorous outdoor physical activity. This can be an important and effective strategy to decrease exposure to inhaled air pollutants and minimize health risks during a smoke event.
Reduce other sources of indoor air pollution such as burning cigarettes and candles; using gas, propane, and wood burning stoves and furnaces; cooking; and vacuuming.
Individuals with heart disease or lung diseases such as asthma should follow their health care providers’ advice about prevention and treatment of symptoms.

For more information about your community’s air quality, visit http://airnow.gov/. For air quality advisories from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, visit http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/advisories/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/asthma/wildfires.htm

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.asp

For more information and handouts: (Asthma and Wildfires, Reducing Smoke Exposure)

Crook County Health Department: www.co.crook.or.us Health Dept. Home Page – Hot Topics

Crook County Health Department is on Facebook as well.