HERMISTON, Ore.-An Air Quality Alert for much of Eastern Oregon due to wildfire smoke is expected to remain in effect until at least 8 p.m. on July 22.
The Air Quality Advisory, issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on the morning of July 21, includes Baker, Grant, Union, Umatilla, Wallowa and Wheeler Counties, as well as northern Harney and northern Malheur counties.
DEQ expects ozone pollution to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart or respiratory conditions.
People are encouraged to limit their time outdoors and some simple steps can help you stay safe and comfortable in your home, while decreasing exposure to wildfire smoke this summer.
“There are a lot of simple low or no cost tips that people can take to lower any wildfire smoke coming into their home, while also helping them save energy and money,” said Jami Seymore, a spokesperson with Energy Trust of Oregon, an independent nonprofit focused on clean energy solutions and savings, serving customers and communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
The first and perhaps easiest line of defense against smoke is sealing any cracks or leaks around your home where outside air can seep in with caulking or weatherstripping, especially around windows, doors, and your heating and cooling system.
“If you use a window air conditioner, make sure the outdoor air damper is closed, and if it cannot be closed, avoid using it, if possible, and ensure the seal between the unit and window frame is airtight,” said Seymore. “Avoid using single-hose portable air conditioners in smoky weather, as they draw outdoor air indoors; if using a dual-hose unit, ensure the window adapter is tightly sealed.”
Once you’re sure that smoke is staying outside your home, consider running your cooling system on fan only mode this wildfire season.
This keeps air circulating continuously through your home’s air filter during wildfire season, according to Seymore, who recommends switching the system back to auto mode once smoke clears, so the system only runs when needed.
It’s also important to keep your air filter clean during wildfire season, which may mean checking and cleaning it more frequently.
Heating and cooling system air filters are generally changed or cleaned every three months, however, Seymore recommends checking filters monthly and replacing them every six weeks during smoke events, to ensure your home’s system is running efficiently.
It’s also important to make sure you are using the right filter for your heating and cooling system, both for efficiency and to ensure the air inside your home remains clean.
“Some higher-rated filters can capture smaller smoke particles, but they can also make it harder for your system to push the same amount of cool air through and use more energy, so check your system’s manufacturer’s recommendations to make sure you’re using the right filter for your system,” said Seymore.
During air quality alerts or smoke advisories you should also try to limit activities, such as frying food, using wood or gas stoves, burning incense or candles, and smoking, that add fine particles to the air inside your home.
If you or someone in your family is extra sensitive to wildfire smoke, such as children, the elderly, or those who have respiratory conditions, you may also want to consider creating a “clean air space,” an area inside your home with extra protection against wildfire smoke.
“It’s a good idea to pick a room that has fewer doors or windows that can allow smoke particles to get in and make sure that doors or windows are properly sealed with weatherstripping or caulking,” said Seymore.
A portable air purifier can also provide an added layer of air protection inside your home.
Seymore recommends using an energy efficient model to avoid increasing energy costs and running it continuously during an air quality advisory or periods of wildfire smoke.
Energy Trust of Oregon offers an instant $75 discount on ENERGY STAR certified air purifiers, which use significantly less power than standard models. You can order online or buy in-person at select retailers.
Once outdoor air quality improves, you can air out your home by opening windows or using your cooling system’s fresh air intake.
Live air quality updates for Oregon are available through the DEQ Air Quality Map, AirNow.gov, and OregonSmoke.org.
