Wildfire smoke, unhealthy air quality new normal in Oregon, report shows

Wildfire smoke continues to cause unhealthy air quality across Oregon, according to a report from the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The data shows increasing days at “unhealthy” or worse air quality levels from wildfire smoke starting around 2012 and including the record-breaking wildfire events of September 2020.

Last year, most of the smoke impacts were in central and southern Oregon, according to the report.

Bend had 21 days with air quality that was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, including seven unhealthy days and one very unhealthy day.

Cave Junction in Josephine County had 23 days with air quality that was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, including 10 unhealthy, six very unhealthy and three hazardous days.

In the Willamette Valley, wildfire smoke impacted the southern region more than the central and northern regions.

In 2023, Eugene had four days with air quality that was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, while Oakridge had 12. Portland had one, while no impacts were recorded in Salem.

The 2023 wildfire season saw substantial smoke impacts from fires in Oregon from east of Springfield and Eugene in Lane County, near the coast in Curry County, and near the Bull Run Reservoir in Clackamas County, according to the report.

Smoke from fires in northern California, Washington near Spokane and British Columbia also had a significant impact on Oregon communities.

How DEQ measures air quality in Oregon

DEQ’s yearly smoke report tracks wildfire-related air quality trends in 24 Oregon communities, using data from the Air Quality Index.

The index measures levels of fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, the primary pollutant in wildfire smoke. It categorizes air quality, from best to worst, as good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous.

The report calls the number of days in the four worst groups “unhealthy air quality days.”

The report shows that since 2012, air quality has been worsening, with more frequent days categorized as unhealthy or worse.

Large wildfires have been increasing across the western United States over the last decade and are expected to become more frequent, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Oregon’s wildfire season historically started in late July and ended in early September. Now, fires have been starting in mid-July and lasting until early October.

How to stay safe from wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke contains a wide variety of pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, PM2.5, which are the smallest particles, may represent the greatest health concern because the particles can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and may even reach the bloodstream.

OHA offers recommendations for staying safe during smoke events:

• Pay attention to local air quality reports. Listen and watch for news or health warnings about smoke. Also pay attention to public health messages about taking additional safety measures.
• Refer to visibility guides if they are available. Not every community has a monitor that measures the number of particles that are in the air. In the western part of the United States, some communities have guidelines to help people estimate the Air Quality Index (AQI) based on how far they can see.
• If you are advised to stay indoors, keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. Run an air conditioner if you have one, but keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. Running a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or an electro-static precipitator (ESP) also can help keep indoor air clean. If you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere.
• Don’t add to indoor pollution. When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces, or gas stoves. Don’t vacuum, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home. Don’t smoke, because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.
• Don’t rely on masks for protection. Paper "comfort" or "dust" masks commonly found at hardware stores are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks will not protect your lungs from smoke. There also are specially designed air filters worn on the face called respirators. These must be fitted, tested and properly worn to protect against wildfire smoke. People who do not properly wear their respirator may gain a false sense of security. If you choose to wear a respirator, select an “N95” respirator, and make sure you find someone who has been trained to help you select the right size, test the seal and teach you how to use it. It may offer some protection if used correctly.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Wildfire smoke, unhealthy air quality new normal in Oregon, report shows