Parts of Oregon under air stagnation advisory

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air stagnation advisory for much of the state Friday. The advisory is based on the latest information from the National Weather Service and is in effect through Monday.

The advisory includes north-central and south-central Oregon. Forecasters expect an inversion over these areas, conditions which include light winds 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 to use alternatives to woodstoves if other heating options are available and practical. Information on woodstoves and woodstove smoke: www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/

Exposure to ambient particulate matter pollution is one of the top risk factors that contribute to premature death in the Unites States, accounting for approximately 100,000 deaths annually. 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…