Air Quality Warning Issued for Jackson County | FireWatch

JACKSON COUNTY, Oregon – The Jackson County Health Department has issued an Air Quality Alert for Jackson County due to wildfire smoke from the Salt Creek Fire in Eagle Point and the Shelly Fire in Siskiyou County.

“People with chronic conditions could experience an exacerbation of their chronic conditions,” said Tanya Phillips, health promotion and prevention manager here at Jackson County Public Health. “Our air quality is impacted by wildfire smoke, and people are taking these measures to protect their health because they are at a higher risk of developing some of these symptoms.”

Residents are advised to stay in their homes and avoid physical activity to avoid the risk of airborne illness.

“At a minimum, residents and visitors should expect air quality to be impacted by these fires for the next few days,” the Jackson County Health Department said in a news release. “Depending on weather conditions and fire activity, air quality could be impacted for longer. Smoke levels can rise or fall quickly depending on weather factors, including wind direction and the amount of smoke generated by the wildfires. Wildfires in neighboring counties and states can also impact air quality in Jackson County, so people need to be prepared to take steps to protect their health during wildfire season.”

According to the press release, the following people are most exposed to smoke from wildfires:

• Children under 18 years
• Adults over 65 years
• Pregnant woman
• People with chronic diseases such as heart or lung disease, including asthma and diabetes
• Field sales representative
• People with low socioeconomic status

“Inhaling wildfire smoke can have immediate effects on a person’s health, causing coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, burning eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, headaches, fatigue, chest pain and heart palpitations,” the press release said.

Here’s how residents can protect themselves during this warning:

• Avoid places in the area with the highest smoke concentration
• Stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed. Use an air filter or air conditioner if you have one.
• Create a “clean room,” that is, a room without a fireplace and with few windows and doors. Use an air purifier in this room
• Keep indoor smoke clean by not smoking indoors, not using gas or wood stoves or burners, not using aerosol sprays, not roasting or grilling meat, not lighting candles or incense, and not vacuuming.
• Leave the area temporarily and go to a place with clean air. Go to public indoor spaces with clean air
• Drink plenty of water. This will keep your airways moist, which can help relieve symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose and cough.
• “Keep a supply of NIOSH-approved respirators on hand and learn how to use them,” the release says. “If you decide to wear a respirator, choose a particulate respirator that is labeled ‘NIOSH.’ If it has an ‘N,’ ‘R,’ or ‘P’ printed on it along with the number 95, 99, or 100, the mask is suitable for use.”

The Oregon Health Authority runs a program to help people with medical assistance get air conditioning and air filters, the news release said. Click here to learn more about that program.

Isabela Lund is Digital Content Manager at NewsWatch 12. You can reach her at [email protected].

Carlos Murrieta is a reporter/producer at NewsWatch 12. Reach him at [email protected].