With air quality worsening throughout the week, Lane County officials are urging people to be aware of the health effects of breathing smoky air. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, there are even “clean air spaces” being made available.
Everyone is encouraged to stay indoors, especially those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma. Strenuous outdoor activity is discouraged, and people signed up for camps and other recreational events should check to see if they’re canceled.
Devon Ashbridge is the Public Information Officer for Lane County. She says many regional cities and towns are offering places where people can go if they need a cleaner breath of air.
“So for example, libraries make a wonderful retreat," says Ashbridge. "We have several of those throughout our community.
"We also have some community centers and churches in our smaller communities that are open regular hours and provide a place for folks to go and escape the worst of that smoky air.”
Movies and malls are other options, though those cost money. Ashbridge says it’s hoped that conditions will improve by the weekend.
The following list has been sent out by Lane County for people needing publicly-accessible shelter from smoke and haze:
Eugene
Libraries
The Downtown Library (100 West 10th Ave.)
Eugene Public Library in the downtown area. M-Th: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
F-Sun: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- The Bethel Branch Library (1990 Echo Hollow Rd.) and Sheldon Branch Library (1566 Coburg Rd.)
Tues: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
M, W, Th, F & Sat: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sundays: Closed
Community Centers
The City operates five community centers that are air-conditioned. The hours of operation and locations of those centers are:
- Amazon Center (2700 Hilyard St.) 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F
- Campbell Center (155 High St.) 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., M, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., T-F
- Hilyard Center (2580 Hilyard St.) 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., M-F
- Petersen Barn Center (870 Berntzen Rd.) 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F
- River House Center (301 N. Adams St.) Noon - 4 p.m., M-F
Springfield
Springfield Public Library
Monday–Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Address: 225 Fifth St.
Springfield, OR 97477
Bob Keefer Center
Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Address: 250 S. 32nd St. Springfield, OR 97478
Willamalane Adult Activity Center
Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Address: 215 W. C St., Springfield, OR 97477
Creswell
New Hope Baptist Church
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Address: 597 S. Front St., Creswell, OR 97426
Creswell Library
Monday & Friday, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. -7 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. -4 p.m.
Address: 64 W Oregon Ave, Creswell, OR 97426
Junction City
Junction City Public Library
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. -6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. -4 p.m.
Address: 726 Greenwood, Junction City, OR 97448
Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove Community Center
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Address: 700 E. Gibbs Ave, Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Cottage Grove Public Library
Mon-Tues, 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weds-Sat, 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: 700 E. Gibbs Ave, Cottage Grove, OR 97424
Copyright 2018, KLCC.
