Air stagnation advisory extended for much of C.O.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, in conjunction with National Weather Service offices, said Monday it is extending an air stagnation advisory for parts of Central, Eastern and Southern Oregon.
The advisory, which took effect Friday and was set to expire at noon Monday, will now last until noon on Tuesday for Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties and low-lying areas of Coos and Curry counties. Improvement could be seen in some areas, including Ashland and Lakeview, the agencies said.
The advisory for Jefferson, Grant and Crook counties will expire at noon on Wednesday, instead of at noon on Monday. It has been expanded to include Wasco, Wallowa, Sherman and portions of Wheeler, particularly the John Day Basin. An existing advisory for Deschutes and Harney counties expired at noon on Monday.
DEQ and National Weather Service forecasters said they expect air quality to deteriorate due to an extended period of stagnant air. Air quality may reach the
“unhealthy for sensitive groups” category in the evening.
During stagnant conditions, smoke can be trapped at ground level where people breathe. Visit DEQ’s Air Quality Index for current conditions: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/ or download the OregonAir app on your smartphone.
DEQ asks people in the affected areas to refrain from outdoor burning and to use alternatives to woodstoves if other heating options are available and practical. Information on woodstoves and woodstove 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.
See the latest forecasts and advisories issued by the National Weather Service at http://www.weather.gov.
