Environment

Oakridge-Westfir achieves EPA clean air standard

KLCC | By Brian Bull
Published September 24, 2022 at 3:13 PM PDT
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Forested area near Oakridge.
Brian Bull

It may not seem quite like it right now, but the air quality in the Oakridge-Westfir communities meets federal standards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday that the rural area meets the fine particulate National Ambient Air Quality Standard, as outlined by the Clean Air Act.

With EPA guidance, LRAPA and the Oakridge-Westfir communities worked to meet the milestone, which means cleaner and healthier air during winter. The focus has been on reducing particulate matter from wood stoves, which have been a huge source of contaminants.

Currently, Oakridge’s air quality is rated "unhealthy" by LRAPA, but that’s due to smoke from the nearby Cedar Creek Fire.

©2022, KLCC.

Environment
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Brian Bull
Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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