DEQ issues air quality advisory for much of state

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on Friday issued an air quality advisory for parts of Central and North Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon and the Southern Willamette Valley through early to mid- next week. The National Weather Service issued an air stagnation advisory for the same period.

Forecasters expect air quality to deteriorate due to an extended period of stagnant air. During such conditions, smoke can be trapped at ground level where people breathe.

An advisory is in place through Monday for parts of the Southern Willamette Valley including the lowlands of Marion, Linn, Benton and Lane counties, and for Malheur, Harney and Baker counties. In the valleys and basins of Central and North-Central Oregon, an advisory is in place through Wednesday. It covers the Columbia and John Day basins and the Blue Mountain foothills.

DEQ asks people in the affected areas to refrain from outdoor burning and to use alternatives to wood stoves if other heating options are available and practical. Information on wood stoves and wood stove smoke: http://www.oregon.gov/deq/Residential/Pages/Woodst…

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.

For air quality information and conditions in Lane County visit: http://www.lrapa.org/

Visit DEQ’s Air Quality Index for current conditions: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/

A National Weather Service air stagnation advisory is in effect in Central Oregon until 7 p.m. next Wednesday.

See the latest forecasts and advisories issued by the National Weather Service at http://www.weather.gov