Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather and Ashland is having impacts from the Park Fire. According to weather forecasting, smoke levels may increase midday to unhealthy for sensitive groups or even have brief periods of UNHEALTHY as smoke settles into the Rogue Valley through this afternoon. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR or Watch Duty apps on your smartphone. The City of Ashland, through Smokewise Ashland, is providing free respirators to community members and classes for building do-it-yourself air cleaners.
Pick-up a Certified Free N-95 Mask (Respirator)! Smokewise Ashland will be placing several free NIOSH certified N-95 respirators around the community for reducing smoke exposure. Find respirators(masks) at the following locations:
- Ashland Chamber of Commerce, 110 E. Main Street, Days: Mon-Fri, Hours: 9 am – 4 pm
- Senior Center, 1699 Homes Ave, Days: Mon-Thurs, Hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Community Development, 51 Winburn Way, Days: Mon-Fri, Hours: 9 am – 3 pm
Do-it-Yourself Air Filter Building Class: Join us for a free class to learn more about how to improve indoor air quality and build your own DIY air filter (a $50 value). Class space is limited so please register in advance.
- When: Saturday, August 24th
- Class Time(s) are 11 am to 12 pm and 12:30 to 1:30
Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people.
Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:
- Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed. If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
- Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. Or create your own air purifying filter by following these instructions.
- Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
- When air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses.
- If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.
Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly selected and worn. Select a NIOSH-approved respirator with a N, R or P alongside the number 95, 99 or 100. Learn how to put on and use a respirator. Respirators won’t work for children as they don’t come in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before wearing a respirator.
Access local resources and take action! Visit www.smokewiseashland.org to see the air quality index, see the live camera feed of the Ashland watershed and learn how to reduce your exposure by wearing a respirator properly and improving indoor air quality. Be sure to follow your doctor's recommendations and take recommended health precautions.
Be aware of area wildfires and air quality. Please be situationally aware in the community and download the 'Watch Duty' app.
Additional resources: