It is the time of year again when Oregonians across the state should be prepared for poor air quality, evacuations, and the reality that large and sometimes catastrophic wildfires are now a part of living in the West.
FILE - Smoke rises from the Darlene 3 Fire near La Pine, Ore., Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Courtesy of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
Wildfires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres in Oregon in the past several summers. Homes and restaurants have been consumed, and people have lost their lives. Oregonians also spent several summer days indoors as thick smoke covered the skies.
There are several ways to help prepare for wildfire emergencies. Here are a few:
Stay informed
Keep an eye on the Oregon Smoke Information blog. The Department of Environmental Quality posts air quality advisories there during wildfire season. The agency pulls information from the National Weather Service, firefighting agencies and the Oregon Health Authority before doing so. You can find it in Spanish at Oregonhumo.org.
DEQ has 77 air quality monitoring sites around the state that measure for the small wildfire particles that are dangerous for our lungs. There are smartphone apps, such as OregonAir for iPhones and Androids, that make it easy to pull the latest air quality index, or AQI, data from all around Oregon.
“You can even change the settings to see emojis rather than numbers,” said Dylan Darling with the Department of Environmental Quality. “It’s always good to see a green smiley face.”
There are other apps like AirVisual from IQAir or government apps like AirNow from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that can also provide helpful information about air quality.
The National Interagency Fire Center also has a useful website, which keeps a running tally of large wildfires in each state.
Know when to stay inside
If you’re not a smartphone user, it’s also smart to trust that if you smell smoke it might be best to stay indoors.
“One of the most important things is being aware of the smoke levels in your area and, of course, you can use your senses,” Darling said.
During periods of extreme heat or smoke, places like public libraries and community centers can offer respite from the conditions. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management also keeps a list of county and tribal emergency management agencies.
People can find more information about available cooling or clean-air centers by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org.
It’s helpful to have an air filter, and if you want to make your own, the Oregon Health Authority has instructions here for the DIYers.
Know the lingo and what to pack
Evacuation orders during a wildfire are handled by your local law enforcement agency or sheriff’s office. There are three levels of evacuation orders:
- Level 1: Get ready. This level means you should prepare yourself to evacuate and closely monitor fire activity.
- Level 2: Get set. This level means you need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
- Level 3: Go now. Leave the area immediately.
Oregon’s 3-Level evacuation notification system is structured around the threat level and situation. Know the current levels and what they mean to help make the best decision to stay safe. If you feel unsafe, do not wait for a notification, knock at the door or alert – evacuate! pic.twitter.com/Vm1Z766bgo
— OregonOEM (@OregonOEM) July 23, 2021
When under evacuation orders, the state of Oregon recommends packing food and water, medicines, an emergency power source like batteries or wireless chargers, and important documents. OHA has also put together an evacuation checklist for people with special health needs. And the Federal Emergency Management Agency offers a longer list of items to pack in your go-bag.