Trying to add a payment method? You can do this on the 
QuickTake:
Wildfire smoke in Lane County is expected to stay for days, degrading air quality to unhealthy levels. More than 2 million acres have burned in Oregon this season, breaking the state's record for acres burned in a year — with weeks still left in the fire season.
This story was updated Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 9 a.m.
A wind shift has carried wildfire smoke into Lane County, degrading air quality into unhealthy levels for the general public and people who are sensitive to it. The haze is expected to stay through Thursday.
Air quality is measured on the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale from 0 to 500, color-coded, with higher numbers indicating worse conditions and dark red signaling hazardous air. Moderate conditions run up to 100, after which air becomes unhealthy for sensitive groups — including people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and pregnant people. Into the late 100s, the smoke is considered unhealthy for everyone.
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) monitors registered an an AQI of 187 in north Eugene and 178 in Springfield.
Some areas in Eugene have hit the “very unhealthy” level, according to PurpleAir monitors. PurpleAir sensors, low-cost consumer devices, expand the air-monitoring picture beyond LRAPA’s regulatory-grade network.
The smoke started lofting into the Eugene-Springfield area Monday afternoon, settling overnight — the same time temperatures started to rise in western Oregon.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory that went into effect at noon Tuesday and lasts until 11 p.m. Wednesday. Wednesday’s high temperature in Eugene is expected to be 97.
Smoke drifting into Lane County is coming from wildfires burning east of the Cascade Mountains. More than 2 million acres have burned in Oregon this season, breaking the state’s wildfire record for acres burned in a year with weeks still to go in the fire season.
LRAPA issued an air advisory Tuesday morning covering the Eugene and Springfield area, Cottage Grove, Oakridge, Westfir and Blue River. A weather change Friday should bring clean air, though the timing is uncertain, according to the advisory. Until then, smoke will likely stay through Thursday.
“A nightly inversion will hold smoke near the ground in the valley, which is what moved us from an intermittent smoke impact notice yesterday to an advisory today,” Travis Knudsen, LRAPA executive director, said in a statement. “Keep windows and doors closed overnight and through the morning. Afternoons should be the better window if you need to get outside or air out the house, but always check the current Air Quality Index.”
Wildfire smoke has become a major driver of particle pollution in Eugene and Springfield in the last six years. Particle pollution consists of tiny materials that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, with the smallest particles able to pass into the bloodstream. Research links exposure to causing or worsening lung and heart disease, increasing the risk of premature birth, among other risks.
Staying safe in wildfire smoke
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency offers the following advice for people to protect themselves from wildfire smoke:
- 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 HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers, or create your own with these instructions.
- Track smoke levels in your area and avoid the places hit hardest.
- When air quality improves to moderate or good (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out buildings.
- If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.
Something on your mind?
Send us a Letter to the Editor. Read our guidelines for Letters to the Editor here.
