Wildfire smoke from Canada, Washington and local fires entered the Portland Metro area Saturday afternoon, degrading air quality and leading Health Department officials to issue another mandatory wood burning restriction (red day) for Multnomah County residents today, Sunday, Aug 20.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has listed Multnomah County in its air quality advisory updates for continuous smoke in the Portland area for the next 24 hours.
Wildfire smoke from Canada, Washington and local fires entered the Portland Metro area Saturday afternoon, degrading air quality and leading Health Department officials to issue another mandatory wood burning restriction (red day) for Multnomah County residents today, Sunday, Aug 20.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has listed Multnomah County in its air quality advisory updates for continuous smoke in the Portland area for the next 24 hours.
Conditions are expected to vary as intermittent smoke is trapped in our area — with eastern Multnomah County seeing air quality levels in the unhealthy range for sensitive groups (orange) as well as the unhealthy range for all residents (red). Clearing is expected Monday afternoon.
“We’re seeing some lower temperatures after our latest heat wave, but since wildfire smoke has entered the metro area, we encourage people to check air quality often, because conditions can change quickly,” says Nadège Dubuisson, who works on air quality at the Health Department. “Use an air cleaner indoors if it's available to you, and limit outdoor activity particularly if you are especially affected by poor air quality. Check air quality before opening windows. You want to look for yellow or green on the air quality index.”
People at risk
People who are at higher risk of smoke exposure include pregnant people, children, people with heart or lung conditions, and older adults. Residents can protect their health and reduce pollution indoors by turning on an air filter or learning how to build one. Visit multco.us/wildfiresmoke to learn more.
People who work outdoors are also at elevated risk. Employers should visit Oregon OSHA for requirements and recommendations to protect employee health.
Health officials will continue to monitor the situation. The air quality burn restriction will be lifted when conditions improve.
Fire safety burning restrictions
Burn restrictions are posted at multco.us/woodsmokestatus. The Fire Department’s mandatory burn ban for safety issued by the Multnomah County Fire Defense Board effective June 16, 2023, also includes all backyard burning, recreational fires, burning yard debris, agricultural burning, and permits issued for open burning until further notice. Residents should exercise extreme caution when cooking outside. Check with your local Fire Department/District for more information or to report a fire.
What should you do
Keep windows and doors closed (if temperatures allow). If it is too hot indoors, seek cooler indoor air.
- If spending time outside, avoid strenuous exercise outdoors during periods of poor air quality.
- If available, set AC to recirculate air, use an air cleaner with a HEPA filter, or build your own DIY air cleaner.
- Listen to your body and watch for any symptoms of smoke exposure.
- Keep an eye on air quality near you (links to air quality maps below or on our website.)
- Do not rely on masks or bandanas for protection. Not all masks are effective and can provide a false sense of protection from smoke. An “N95” respirator can offer some protection if you must be outdoors, but it must be properly worn.
When air quality improves and reaches the yellow or green level on the Air Quality Index, even temporarily, air out your home to reduce indoor air pollution. People in homes that are too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, or who are at-risk of smoke-related health effects, should seek shelter elsewhere.
Know the symptoms
The symptoms of wildfire smoke most reported include scratchy throat, stinging or watery eyes, stuffy nose, sinus irritation, coughing, trouble breathing, and tiredness or dizziness.
Mild symptoms of smoke exposure often include:
- Cough
- Headache
- Burning eyes
- Sore throat
- Phlegm production
- Changes in breathing
Dry cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing are common to both wildfire smoke exposure and COVID-19. Contact your doctor if you believe you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
But smoke exposure can also cause serious and life-threatening respiratory distress, including heart attacks and strokes. If you’re in distress, you should immediately dial 9-1-1.
Your body
Healthy people affected by smoke may have only mild symptoms. But healthy people may also have underlying health conditions that put them at risk. Listen to your body’s cues:
If your eyes are burning, if your throat is sore, if your lungs are having a hard time expanding, if you are coughing, stay inside and focus on creating a “Clean Room” where the air is as clean as possible.
Gauging air quality
To find air quality information visit:
- EPA Air Quality map: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pulls real-time air quality data from Oregon and Washington States.
- Oregon Smoke Blog: Local, state, tribal and federal organizations coordinate to share information about wildfires and smoke.
- Oregon Air Quality map: The state Department of Environmental Quality updates a map of current air quality. Due to high traffic, the site can slow or crash. The sites below offer good alternatives.
- State of Oregon Fires Map: The Oregon Office of Emergency Management updates a map of active fires, air quality and closures.
Visibility
If you can’t access AQI information, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality shares this 5-3-1 visibility index to help estimate smoke levels:
- Five miles: air quality is generally good.
- Three to five miles: air quality is unhealthy for young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness.
- Less than three miles: air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
- Less than one mile: air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
Wood Burning Violations
To report a suspected violation of a mandatory burn restriction and smoke from a recreational fire, contact Multnomah County Environmental Health:
- Call 503-988-0035
- Submit a Web form: https://www.multco.us/health/staying-healthy/webform/file-complaint-red-or-yellow-day
- For fire safety, report the fire to your local fire department or 911 if in immediate danger.
Stay Informed of wood burning restrictions:
- Daily advisories and restrictions are published on the county’s Wood Winter Wood Burning Restriction page.
- Advisories and restrictions are shared through social media, including Facebook ,Twitter, Instagram and NextDoor.
- Residents may sign up to receive emails of wood burning advisories and restrictions
- Residents may sign up to receive text alerts by texting START to (503) 994-2876.
