Due to severe smoke conditions in the Rogue Valley, the City of Ashland is opening a clean-air center on August 18, from Noon to 7 p.m., and August 19, from Noon to 8 p.m., at 1615 Clarke Ave., Calvin Hall at the Presbyterian Church in Ashland.

Volunteers are still needed and donations gladly accepted. For more information, please contact the Emergency Management Coordinator, Kelly Burns, at 541.880.3564. (Items needed include: snacks, water or non-alcoholic drinks with electrolytes, masks.)

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August 17, 2023 News Post:
Smoke is collecting in the Rogue Valley due to fires in our region and may continue on and off for some time. 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 and set the averaging period to "Real-time".

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.

Stay informed! The City of Ashland uses Everbridge Citizen Alert (formerly Nixle) to notify folks in real-time for localized emergency situations, plus relevant community advisories like power outages and smoke advisories. Register today! (This online link is the best way to sign up; however, you may also text "97520" (message field) to "888777" (recipient field). To opt-in to receive messages for when and where centers and shelters will be available in or around Ashland, text "97520SHELTER" to "888777."