Smoke and ash from wildfires raging across large sections of western Oregon is "not something to mess with," state environmental authorities said Tuesday, urging millions of people to stay in their homes and avoid prolonged exposure if possible.
The Eagle Creek fire in the Columbia River Gorge brought heavy smoke and ash to the Portland area late Monday, but other fires also contributed to smoky skies elsewhere Tuesday.
Greg Svelund, spokesman with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, said air quality throughout much of the state's most populous areas is bad enough that it would likely affect more than just children, the elderly and those with asthma or other respiratory or heart issues.
"This is going to impact virtually everybody," Svelund said. Headaches, watery eyes and scratchy throats could be early symptoms of over-exposure to the stagnant smoky air. The health effects could be much more serious for asthma sufferers and other so-called sensitive groups. "This is not something to mess with," Svelund added.
The National Weather Service issued a statewide air quality alert through noon Friday in response to the devastating wildfires burning from the Chetco Bar Fire in Southwest Oregon to the Eagle Creek fire in the gorge.
DEQ and the state health authority are urging people to stay inside in air conditioned places if at all possible, as high temperatures complicate the unhealthy air quality situation. People are encouraged to limit driving and not mow their lawn, or what's likely left of it after weeks of scorching temperatures.
State public health officials encouraged people to stock up on prescription medicine to make sure they are equipped to stay indoors. When in a car, drivers should use the recirculation feature on the air conditioner if they have one. People should turn on indoor air filtration systems, such as HEPA filters, if they have them.
The Air Quality Index in Oregon as of Tuesday afternoon. Darker colors equal more hazardous conditions.
"I think we're in this for the long haul," Svelund said, saying it's possible conditions could improve in the Willamette Valley in the next 48 hours.
When asked if relief may be in sight, Svelund said that was the million-dollar question.
Portland felt socked in by smoke and ash by the ever-growing Eagle Creek fire in the Columbia River Gorge. A dull yellow hue hung over the city throughout the day, but some cyclists still braved the elements with bandanas, masks and other cloth materials trying to prevent breathing in the particulates.
Much ado was made Tuesday morning of ash falling in the metro area and beyond, but Svelund said that was more "dramatic" than anything else.
It's smaller particulars, less than 2.5 microns, or fractions of the size of a human hair, that cause the most health concerns.
Svelund cautioned against any outdoor exercising, and he said there's not much people can do in the short-term to avoid the smoke. Bandanas won't do much other than "probably it makes you feel better."
Health officials said masks may not be as helpful as people think. Multnomah County's Health Department warned if the masks don't fit property they "provide almost no protection."
Dust masks and painting masks are completely ineffective at blocking out harmful particulates. Masks that are labeled N95 or N100 could be effective if properly fitted. Those are available at hardware stores
Tips
--Check the current local air quality conditions on DEQ's website (oregonsmoke.blogspot.com). Avoid outdoor activities, especially exercise, when air quality is unhealthy and hazardous.
-- Stay inside, close windows or use air conditioners if you have them. Also use a filter to remove fine particulates.
-- If you have heart or lung problems, or young children, you are especially vulnerable.
-- Asthma sufferers or those with other respiratory problems should follow their breathing management plans or talk to their doctors
(Courtesy of OHA)
Dr. Ann Thomas, a public health physician with Oregon's Health Authority, said the chief advice for much of western Oregon is to limit the time outdoors. She said that applies to animals, too.
Thomas biked to work Tuesday but her commute is only about a mile.
Air quality was the talk of the state Tuesday.
The state website that provides those real-time air quality updates crashed as people tried to learn more about the conditions in their area. DEQ referred users to the federal Environmental Protection Agency's AIRNow website, which has the same data.
The separate Oregon Smoke Blog also had issues loading as tens of thousands of people tried to learn more about conditions there.
Oregon's high school sports governing association issued a memo in recent days outlining what schools should do with outdoor athletic competitions if the air quality remained poor. The health authority also has a tip sheet for schools when considering whether to hold recess or other outdoor activities.
At one point Tuesday, at least half of the state's 35 air quality stations showed unhealthy levels, according to DEQ. Unhealthy air quality is any reading that between 151 and 200 on the index used to measure airborne particulates. Very unhealthy air ranges from 201 to 300, and anything beyond 301 is deemed to be hazardous conditions.
Ashland and the Southern Oregon's Applegate Valley had readings of 242 and 252 respectively around noon Tuesday. Eugene-Springfield's rating topped the chart at 434, as smoke filled the southern Willamette Valley.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled Greg Svelund's name.
-- Andrew Theen
atheen@oregonian.com
503-294-4026
@andrewtheen