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Air Quality Advisory Issued for Medford-Ashland Due to Flat Fire

airnow.gov

Smoke is collecting in the Rogue Valley due to the Flat Fire and the Oregon DEQ has issued an air quality advisory. DEQ expects the advisory to last until at least Saturday evening, July 22. Please take precautions especially if you are under 18, older than 65 or diagnosed with a pre-existing health condition.

Be Smoke Aware
Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather.

Check current conditions and see air quality advisories on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog
See DEQ’s Air Quality Index
Download the free OregonAIR app
See the Purple Air Map – For accurate readings, check the ‘US EPA conversion’ on both the ‘data layer’ and the ‘apply conversion’ dropdown menus.

Take Action to Reduce Exposure to Smoke

Follow these health recommendations from Asante: English and Spanish
Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed. If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location.
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. Or create your own air purifying filter by following these instructions.
Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
When air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses.
If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.

Wear a NIOSH Approved Respirator
Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly selected and worn. Select a NIOSH-approved respirator with a N, R or P alongside the number 95, 99 or 100. Learn how to put on and use a respirator. Respirators won’t work for children as they don’t come in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before wearing a respirator.