September 10, 2022

Saturday, September 10, 2022 Smoke from wildfires in Idaho, Washington and Oregon today blankets the Portland metro area, leading health officials. mandatory firewood limit For residents of Multnomah County. This restriction does not apply to cooking. There are exemptions for emergencies.

Air quality burn restrictions will be in effect at noon today and will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.Air quality advisories are posted at multco.us/woodsmokestatusThe situation is expected to improve on Sunday.

the limit is Multnomah County Fire Department Issues Burn Ban Order Fire safety and air quality advisories from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality say air quality could worsen in Multnomah County through Saturday.

This is the fifth warm season firewood limit since the Multnomah County Commissioner extended it, also known as the red day. County Wood Smoke Reduction Ordinance In February 2022, it will occur year-round and this year for the first time due to wildfire smoke and particulate pollution. Others are due to ozone pollution levels on hot days.

Most of Multnomah County is currently in the moderate Air Quality Index (AQI) category, but conditions are expected to worsen Saturday afternoon before temperatures rise by noon Sunday. . Air quality can reach AQI levels unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange) and unhealthy for all (red).

Learn more about cool places Help in hot weatherProtect your health and reduce pollution.

people at risk

Those most at risk for complications from smoking include pregnant women, children, people with heart disease, chronic lung disease, and the elderly.

People who work outdoors are also at increased risk. Those who have to work should wear her properly fitted N95 rated respirator and take breaks inside structures and in vehicles.

what should you do

Stay indoors with windows and doors closed (if temperature permits). If it’s too hot indoors, look for cooler indoor air.

• Avoid spending time outdoors and avoid strenuous exercise outdoors.
• If possible, set your AC to recirculate, use an air purifier with a HEPA filter, or build your own DIY air purifier.
• If visibility is poor, please stay off the road.

Pay attention to the air quality nearby.

• The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a phone app for tracking air quality.
• If that’s overwhelming, find other links to air quality maps below, or on our website.

Once your air quality improves (yellow or green AQI), even if only temporarily, ventilate your home to reduce indoor air pollution. People whose homes are too hot to stay indoors with the windows closed, or whose smoke poses health risks, should seek shelter elsewhere.

know the symptoms

The most reported wildfire smoke symptoms include an itchy throat, stinging or watery eyes, stuffy nose, sinus irritation, coughing, difficulty breathing, fatigue or dizziness.

Mild symptoms of smoke exposure include:

• cough
• headache
• burning eyes
• sore throat
• Production of sputum
• changes in breathing

A dry cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing are common in both wildfire smoke exposure and COVID-19. If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, please consult your doctor. However, exposure to smoke can also cause serious life-threatening breathing difficulties, such as heart attacks and strokes. If he is in trouble, he should dial 9-1-1 immediately.

Air quality measurement

Wildfires and smoke swept the West Coast. Some air quality monitors may have lost power. Air quality web systems can be overwhelmed with traffic on a regular basis, causing web-based maps to slow down or fail to load. For information on air quality, please visit:

• oregon smoke blog: Local, state, tribal, and federal organizations work together to share wildfire and smoke information.
• Oregon Air Quality Map: The State Department of Environmental Quality updates the current air quality map. Heavy traffic can slow down or crash your site. The sites below offer good alternatives.
• EPA Air Quality Map: The US Environmental Protection Agency gets real-time air quality data from Oregon and Washington.
• Oregon fire map: The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is updating maps of ongoing fires, air quality, and closures.

Visibility

If you do not have access to AQI information, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will share it with you 5-3-1 Visibility Index Useful for estimating smoke level:

• 5 miles: Air quality is generally good.
• 3-5 miles: Air quality is unhealthy for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with heart or lung disease, asthma, or other respiratory ailments.
• Less than 3 miles: Air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
• Less than a mile: Air quality is unhealthy for everyone.

your body

Healthy people affected by smoke may have only mild symptoms. However, even healthy people may have underlying medical conditions that put them at risk. Listen to your body’s cues:

If your eyes are burning, your throat is sore, your lungs are having trouble expanding, or you’re coughing, stay indoors and focus on creating a “clean room” with the cleanest air possible.

Woodburning Violation

Call 911 to report and extinguish a fire. To report suspected violations of mandatory burn limits and smoke from recreational fires, contact Multnomah County Environmental Health.

Always be aware of any restrictions on burning wood.

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