Residents in Oakridge and the Cascades are being warned of potentially harmful air from regional wildfires.
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency - or L-RAPA - currently rates the air quality as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Spokesman Travis Knudsen says people should keep aware of air quality whenever outside.
“If you’re outdoors and there’s a lot of smoke and poor air quality, and you’re breathing in that reduced air quality, that can have long-lasting health impacts on you, on the cost of that may outweigh the benefits of being cool and recreating,” Knudsen said.
Sensitive groups include the elderly, people with respiratory problems, or pregnant individuals. Staying indoors, closing vents and windows, and using air purifiers can help.
L-RAPA shows “good” air quality for most other parts of the region.
The Environmental Protection Agency also has an online interactive map tracking air quality.