Among widespread impacts of hazardous smoke; RDM flight cancellations, delays
(Update: Airport advisory; CET changes, Crook County statement)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As expected, a shift in winds blew thick smoke from the region's wildfires into the High Desert late Thursday and Friday morning, sending air-quality indexes soaring into the “hazardous” category.
The air quality monitors from E::Space shown on KTVZ.COM’s weather page Friday morning showed Air Quality Index readings of 400-500 -- up to double the 250 figure, over which anything is labeled as “hazardous.”
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory for the entire state, until noon Monday.
"When smoke levels are hazardous, everyone needs to take steps to protect themselves," National Weather Service forecasters said.
"Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose. aggravate heart and lung diseases and aggravate other serious health problems," they added.
Protect yourself when smoke levels are high:
- Avoid outdoor activities and stay inside if possible. Keep
windows and doors closed. - Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
- Use high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters.
- If you have heart disease, lung disease, or asthma, follow your health care provider`s advice.
- Consider leaving the area if smoke levels are hazardous and you have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory conditions.
For additional information…please visit the web site at
https://www.oregon.gov/deq or oregonsmoke.blogspot.com or download the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.
Redmond Airport noted that commercial airlines canceled or delayed some flights until air quality conditions improve, as it is now unsafe for airline employees to work outdoors. Check the flight status page at flyrdm.com before going to the terminal.
The murky skies and health risks were making themselves apparent in announcements by local organizations.
The Redmond School District informed parents: "Due to hazardous air quality RSD school campuses are closed and daily meal distribution will not occur today. Our school buildings exchange indoor air with outdoor air every night. Unfortunately, this has caused our school buildings to have poor indoor air quality levels.
If you have an appointment today at your student's school, your school staff will be contacting you to reschedule," the school district said.
Other events also were affected, as farmers markets Saturday at NorthWest Crossing in Bend and Sunday in Sisters were canceled.
And the Sisters Folk Festival made this announcement:
Close To Home 2 Concert Weekend Cancelled Due to Unhealthy Air Quality
Sisters, OR - It is with great sadness that Sisters Folk Festival has made the decision to cancel its sold out, socially-distanced Close To Home 2 concerts scheduled for September 11, 12 and 13, Oregon due to hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke in Central Oregon this weekend.
The health, safety and well being of the nonprofit organization’s patrons, volunteers and performing musicians were the driving factors in the decision. Full refunds will be issued to all ticket holders, including those who purchased access to the livestream of the event. Sisters Folk Festival asks that ticket holders hold off on contacting the organization about refunds, as they will be automatically processed as quickly as possible.
Organizers are hoping to produce a free livestream featuring music from the artists who would have been performing at the event, with video feeds from remote locations. Details will be forthcoming if and when those plans are finalized in the coming weeks.
“Right now our thoughts are with the tens of thousands of people who have been impacted by the horrific wildfires burning throughout our beautiful state. In the scheme of things, cancelling this concert pales in comparison with the ordeal many of our fellow Oregonians are experiencing at this time,” said Sisters Folk Festival’s executive director Crista Munro.
CET Bend Fixed-Route services to end at 2 pm on Friday (9/11) and transition to Dial-A-Ride due to hazardous air quality and low ridership
September 11, 2020 Bend, ORE — Cascades East Transit (CET) Bend Fixed-Route services will end at 2 pm on Friday (9/11) and transition to a reservation-based Bend Dial-A-Ride service due to hazardous air quality and low ridership. Regional Community Connector and Dial-A-Ride services will continue to operate as scheduled. Riders can call 541-385-8680 to schedule rides (upon availability) within Bend on Friday, 9/11, as the Bend Dial-A-Ride service will be available to the general public. Riders are encouraged to check CET's website at www.CascadesEastTransit.com or visit CET’s social media pages for service updates, as smoky conditions will likely persist through early next week. All CET weekend services are currently suspended until further notice.
Our hearts go out to all those who continue to be affected by the devastating wildfires and we are hopeful that changing weather patterns will help firefighters gain control of the fires to prevent further damage and improve air quality.
** Crook County Sheriff and Crook County Health Department Joint Media Release **
For Immediate Distribution
Smoky Air and Emergency Alerts
Our thoughts and well wishes are with everyone in the state of Oregon, around the Pacific Northwest, and specifically those in affected areas from the large number of wildfires burning. The amount of loss is already greater than most of us has seen in our lifetimes.
With the state of emergency so high, one of the things Crook County residents can do to protect yourself and your friends and family is sign up for Crook County Emergency Alerts. You will receive a notice when there is an emergency or disaster in your area. If Central Oregon was to experience wildfire now this alerting system will send out alerts of potential evacuations and emergency updates. You can sign up through your local Sheriff’s office anywhere in Central Oregon, so if you live in one county and work in another you can sign up for both so that you know what is happening all around you.
***** To sign up for emergency alerts in Crook County please visit https://co.crook.or.us/sheriff and click on the “Alert Crook County” Icon to sign up or update your login.
As the wildfires around our state continue to burn, the air quality will become more hazardous. Crook County public health officials urge people across the state to take precautions as smoke from wildfires affects the air quality and may be harmful. The current conditions are expected to get worse through the weekend and last into early next week.
“The combination of high temperatures and wildfire smoke in our 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, Crook County 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.
Effects of smoke exposure
- Particles in the air can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, causing cough, phlegm production, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache and inflammation in the lungs.
- Most healthy adults and children will recover quickly from smoke exposure and will not suffer long‐term health consequences.
- Persons with compromised airways such as lung disease are at risk for exacerbations.
- Persons with heart disease may experience shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness.
- Children are at higher risk from smoke exposure, because they tend to spend more time outside, engage in more vigorous activity, and inhale more air per pound of body weight.
- Pregnant women are at increased risk of adverse health effects, as is the developing fetus.
- Persons age 65 and older are more likely to have pre‐existing heart or lung disease, and have a greater risk than younger persons of hospitalization and premature death associated with smoke exposure.
Helpful tools:
- For more information about your community’s air quality, visit: http://airnow.gov/
- Refer to the Oregon Smoke Blog: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com for smoke
information in your area as a tool to help guide your health behaviors and actions.
Here is a cost-effective method to help filter your air - information and videos on DIY air filters on Oregon Smoke blog: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/2020/09/protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke.html
For more information or general questions contact:
Vicky Ryan
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator - Crook County Health Department
Crook County Public Information Officer
541-323-2467 – Direct line
541-233-8504 – Work Cell
Knott Landfill operating at limited capacity
Due to poor air quality, Knott Landfill will be operating at limited capacity until further notice. We are not currently accepting recycling, yard debris or household hazardous waste. We are still accepting waste for disposal.
Due to poor air quality, Knott Landfill will be operating at limited capacity until further notice. We are not currently accepting recycling, yard debris or household hazardous waste. We are still accepting waste for disposal.
Transfer stations are operating normally.
