Deschutes County an area where smoke pollution is the environmental worry

Sisters, Oregon in Central state area

 Carol Forsloff - While Louisiana may worry about oil spills and hurricanes its Gulf coast areas, Oregon is sometimes beset with smoke from fires in Central Oregon that concerns residents of the region.  So what are the mitigation and protective measures from smoke pollutants?

The concern is often about smoke in the areas of Central Oregon that include Deschutes County.  It prompts the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to advise residents of protective measures they may take to mitigate breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke.

 Smoke concentrations from active fires six miles south of Sisters have caused a DEQ monitoring station in the City of Bend to sometimes reach the “moderate” category on the DEQ’s Wildfire Air Quality Rating Scale.  Levels at other Central Oregon monitoring sites are higher than acceptable also.  Sometimes smoke can spill into Bend and the surrounding areas.

This means residents should remain vigilant during those times because the air quality can change depending upon the winds.

The Air quality rating scale can be found at the at the DEQ website where residents can track real-time air quality and health index ratings.

Those residents of the area who are particularly sensitive to smoke should take precautions to mitigate breathing problems or symptoms.  One way at the outset is not to contribute to the smoke further by burning in woodstoves or fireplaces and outdoors.

Oregon is known for its outdoor activities and fresh air.  But it also has large swaths of land that often get tinder dry in the summer, causing fires to break out, as occurred in the summer of 2013.

 Because 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 folks can exhibit a variety of symptoms.  People may experience  varying degrees of repeated coughing, shortness of breath, scratchy throat, wheezing, chest tightness, heart palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue, or light-headedness.                     

Experts say, with respect to smoke conditions, as are occurring now in Central Oregon, that conditions can improve or worsen rapidly, depending on location. Should smoke events occur, environmental and health officials remind local residents to take the following precautions to reduce or eliminate breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke:                                   

·         Avoid smoke either by leaving the area or protecting yourself by staying indoors, closing all windows and doors and using a filter in your heating/cooling system that removes very fine particulate matter (less than PM2.5)

·         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

During particularly dry periods, which in Oregon are from July to October, officials say it is important to take particular precautions about outside burning.  In the Northwest section of Oregon there have been special restrictions due to drier conditions.  One of those not often thought about is the restriction on smoking while traveling.

The specific precautions and levels of pollution can be found on the DEQ website.  For those who can see smoke at 3 - 5 miles these are the recommended guidelines, as an example:

Limit prolonged or heavy exertion, amount of time outdoors and physical exertion. Contact your health provider if symptomatic. Asthma patients should follow their asthma management plan.
• If sensitive to smoke, when possible, avoid exposure by leaving the area.
• Keep doors and windows closed and large gaps sealed
• Use filters in your home’s heating and cooling systems that eliminate fine particles (less than PM2.5).
• Use ceiling fans and the recycle or recirculate mode on air conditioners in your home or car
• Avoid indoor sources of pollution, including tobacco smoke, wood heat, paint solvents and adhesives
• Do not fry or broil foods
• Consume perishable groceries that do not require cooking
• Keep a 5-day supply of medications available

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