Jackson County Public Health is encouraging residents to be prepared for air quality to be impacted by surrounding wildfires.
Wildfire smoke from the Dillon Fire in Siskiyou County, California and the Emigrant Fire near Eugene has the potential to impact air quality in Jackson and Josephine counties for short periods of time.
Smoke levels can quickly rise and fall depending on various weather factors such as wind direction and the amount of smoke produced by a wildfire. Therefore, people must be watchful about air quality during wildfire season.
Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants that are harmful to human health. Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, exacerbate chronic heart and lung disease, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
The particulate matter in wildfire smoke poses the biggest risk to public health. Particles larger than 10 micrometers usually irritate only the eyes, nose and throat. Fine particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller can be inhaled into the deepest part of the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
Populations known to be most vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposures include children, older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, and people of low socioeconomic status including those who are experiencing homelessness and have limited access to medical care.
To prepare for wildfire smoke, know your community's evacuation plan, gather emergency supplies including respirators, keep smoke from entering your home by choosing a room you can close off from outside air, and set up a portable air cleaner or filter to keep the air in the room cleaner.
