Air Quality Index (AQI) | Who's Most at Risk? |
How Do I Protect Myself? | Watch for Symptoms
Wildfires Spread Rapidly And Can Quickly Change Air Quality.
You Need To Be Ready To Cope With Smoke.
Air Quality Index (AQI); Smoke
- measurements between sites may vary depending on different factors:
real-time vs. time average; outdoor vs. indoor sensor location; particle size; corrections - smokewiseashland.org -- provided to OR DEQ, airnow.gov;
"NowCast" AQI calculation; sensor outside at Fire Station 1 - purpleair.com:
Map Data Layer:US EPA 2.5PM AQI; Conversion:US EPA;
some variation (vs. smokewiseashland.org) due to correction factor,
update & averaging times; sensors at multiple locations -- incl. Ashland Fire Station 1;
How do PurpleAir sensors compare to regulatory particulate matter sensors? - Jackson County: Wildfires & Smoke
- Oregon DEQ
- oregonsmoke.org
airnow.gov: AQI; fire.airnow.gov: fires and smoky areas- NOAA: smoke
- ventusky.com: Wind, Rain and Temperature Maps
- NWS: Air Quality, Heat / UV, alerts
- Track Wildfires in the West: AQI, Smoke NYT; 2022
- The Air Quality Index Explained: What It Means and How to Stay Safe NYT; 6/17/2021
Who's Most at Risk?
- Children, older adults, pregnant or nursing mothers, and those
with pre-existing respiratory ailments should take preventative actions
when the AQI level or symptoms dictate. - smokewiseashland.org
How Do I Protect Myself?
- Limit your exposure to smoke. Close windows and doors.
- Follow recommended AQI guidelines for outdoor activities.
- Avoid anything that increases indoor pollution
like candles or vacuuming. - Run an air conditioner or air cleaner with HEPA
or MERV 13 or higher rated filter. - Install air purification system, e.g.,
Whole Home LED In-Duct Air Purifier 
Fine particles can be filtered with an N95
or N100 face mask. Ensure a tight fit!- Follow the advice of your doctor or
healthcare provider. Call if symptoms worsen. - Consider leaving the area if you are sensitive
and smoke is an ongoing problem. - The Best Air Purifier NYT; 1/26/2022
- The City of Ashland’s Air Purifier Pilot Program
$85,000 grant from OR DEQ to give away 500 HEPA air
purifiers to most smoke-vulnerable residents; 9/17/2020
Watch for Symptoms
- Smoke can make respiratory disease symptoms worse
and trigger asthma attacks. - Even otherwise healthy people can experience coughing,
shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. - Contact a healthcare provider for further advice
or call 911 in an emergency.