The Multnomah County Health Department today issued a YELLOW air quality advisory asking people to avoid burning wood, starting at noon today, October 4th, 2021.
The Multnomah County Health Department issued this advisory due to calm conditions this afternoon and evening. The advisory will be lifted when monitoring and forecasting data show improved conditions.
Weather conditions may create stagnant air this evening, which can trap pollutants. This air can be unhealthy to breathe. Sensitive groups such as children and those with respiratory disease may be affected more than others.
“We’re not seeing a lot of movement in our air this evening and we are just now at the good to moderate range on the air quality index. The winds are really low tonight and we have some inversions forecasted, which act as a lid in our area and trap air pollution. We really want to be proactive and let people know that skipping the fire can make a difference.” says Nadege Dubuisson, Air Quality Coordinator for Multnomah County Health Department.
To help protect you, your family and our community, the Health Department asks that people voluntarily limit unnecessary burning until this advisory has been lifted. This includes the use of fireplaces, wood stoves, chimineas, and outdoor burning by businesses and individuals.
This advisory does not apply to cooking. And if wood is your only source of heat, you can still heat your home with wood.
Multnomah County encourages you to use cleaner, more efficient heating devices to heat your home.
If wood burning is the only way for you to heat your home, follow these four easy steps to help reduce output of harmful wood smoke:
Burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split, stacked, covered and stored.
Test wood with a moisture meter before burning (20 percent moisture or less is best).
Use a cleaner-burning EPA or DEQ certified gas or wood stove.
Burn small, hot fires. Provide sufficient air to the fire; never let it smolder.
Learn more about the health effects of wood smoke and what you can do to reduce wood smoke at www.epa.gov/burnwise.
This is the first advisory of the 2021-22 season, which runs from October 1-March 1. To sign up for advisory alerts, visit /woodsmokestatus. Advisories are also posted to the website and on the Multnomah County’s health department social media pages.
For exemption requests, questions, or other information, you can contact woodsmokecomplaints@multco.us or call 503-988-0035.