Air Quality Alert for Oregon

An air quality warning was issued for Deschutes, Grant and Wheeler counties at 11:38 a.m. Friday.

According to the National Weather Service, “The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality warning that is in effect until noon Monday. The warning applies to Deschutes, Grant and eastern Wheeler counties. An air quality smoke warning has been issued. Wildfires are raging in the region coupled with forecast weather conditions that will bring air quality to unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, a runny nose, heart and lung disease, and other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors when it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition.”

Notes on air quality warnings: Findings from the weather service

When an air quality warning is in place, it is crucial to follow the weather service’s instructions. Here are some simple tips from the weather service to protect your well-being:

If possible, seek shelter indoors:

Seek refuge indoors whenever possible, especially if you have respiratory or health problems or are in the senior age group or a child.

Trim outdoor activities:

If you can’t avoid going outside, limit outdoor activities to what is essential. The key is to reduce the time you spend outside.

Mitigate sources of pollution:

Be aware of activities that contribute to pollution, such as driving, using gas-powered lawn mowers, or using motorized vehicles. Limit their use during air quality alerts.

Prohibition of open fire:

Do not light fires using debris or other materials during an air quality alert. Such practices only contribute to increased air pollution.

Stay informed:

Stay informed by tuning into NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite weather news station. Staying informed will help you make informed decisions about outdoor activities when air quality alerts are in place.

Respiratory health is important:

If you suffer from respiratory problems or other health issues, be especially careful. These conditions can make you more vulnerable to the negative effects of compromised air quality.

By following the weather service’s recommendations, you can increase your safety during air quality alerts and reduce your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay alert, stay protected, and put your health first.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.