The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality extended an air quality advisory for Jackson, Josephine and Curry counties due to intermittent periods of heavy smoke from the Rum Creek Fire. Smoke forecasters and public health officials warn that smoke is expected in the area for the foreseeable future.

When smoke levels are high, all of us are at risk from harmful particles. People who have heart and lung disease, like COPD or asthma, older adults, children and pregnant women should take precautions at lower AQI levels. 

Check Oregon’s daily smoke outlooks to see what times of day smoke might be better or worse in Southwest and Central Oregon.

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

• Check current conditions 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.

** Información en español **