Smoke from Oregon Wild Fires May Cause Potential Health Impacts

Air quality approaching “unhealthy for sensitive group” levels.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND) - Smoke concentrations in La Grande and Union County reached the moderate level Tuesday, just outside the “good” category, on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Wildfire Air Quality Rating Scale (WAQR).

People need to remember – especially those individuals who may be sensitive to smoke – that there are precautions they can take to mitigate breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke.

The smoke is made up of tiny particles (particulate matter) that can be harmful to breathe, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma and other lung or heart conditions.

This particulate matter also reduces visibility, causing the haze that has been noticeable in the area.

Symptoms that people may experience from smoke include varying degrees of repeated coughing, shortness of breath, scratchy throat, wheezing, irritated eyes, sinus complications, chest tightness, heart palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue or lightheadedness.

According to the WAQR, designed to measure real-time impacts from forest fire smoke plumes, particulate levels in La Grande and Union County started building reaching the moderate category for a 24 hour average about 1 PM Tuesday.

Particle pollution is often highest during the coldest times of the day, typically in the evening and early morning.

“When wildfire smoke gets to “unhealthy for sensitive group” levels, children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions should take measures to limit their outdoor activities,” said DEQ Air Quality Manager, Linda Hayes-Gorman.

Wildfire smoke plumes are unpredictable, and conditions can improve or worsen rapidly depending on the location. Area residents can take the following precautions to improve breathing conditions or other symptoms when problematic smoke conditions are likely:

Stay indoors if possible; keep doors and windows closed if practicable

Avoid strenuous outdoor activity

Asthma sufferers or those who suffer from other respiratory problems should follow their asthma or breathing management plan or contact your health provider

Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid those areas with highest concentrations.