Air Quality Monitoring During Wildfire Season

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, so we thought it a good idea to discuss air quality monitoring across Oregon, particularly during the summer season.

The Air Quality Index, air quality advisories and the Oregon Smoke Information blog are all great resources for people looking to understand what kind of air they’re breathing, especially if they’re planning to go camping, hiking or participate in any of the other outdoor activities people in Oregon love to do. DEQ works closely with various agencies and organizations across the state to understand and relay air quality information as accurately and timely as possible.

For Episode 22, we were thrilled to talk with DEQ’s Air Quality Monitoring Outreach Specialist Hillarie Sales and KGW 8 News’ Meteorologist and Reporter Chris McGinness about everything that goes into understanding air quality during Wildfire Season. In, addition, we discuss air quality advisories and some tips to plan for smoky air.

You’ll have another chance to learn about preparing for wildfire smoke, as Smoke Ready Week is coming June 12 – 16. Keep an eye out for information and resources from DEQ, as well as our amazing partners Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, Washington State Department of Ecology, Idaho DEQ and your local county health departments.  

Listen to the podcast on: SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

SHOW NOTES

• Introduction
• Episode teaser [0:34]
• Dylan and Susan discuss the air quality advisories during Wildfire Season [2:05]
  • Smoke Information Blog (English) [3:40]Información Sobre el Humo de Oregon (Español) DEQ Facebook and Twitter handles: @OregonDEQOregon Smoke Information Twitter handle: @ORSmokeInfo
  • GreenState Eps. 1-3: “Where There’s Smoke” [4:15]
• Getting to know Hillarie Sales, DEQ air quality monitoring outreach specialist [5:10]
  • Air Quality Monitoring Community Outreach web page [5:40]
  • Asbestos Information web page [6:30]
• DEQ’s Air Quality Index and EPA’s AirNow.gov [8:25]
  • Oregon DEQ’s low-cost air quality SensOR™ (YouTube) [11:00]The free OregonAIR app (available for smartphones) [11:20]AirNow.gov [12:15]
  • NEW AQI link: https://aqi.oregon.gov [14:35]
• Tips to prepare for wildfire smoke [15:35]
  • Resources:
    • Oregon Department of Emergency Management: 2 Weeks ReadyOregon Health Authority: Get Prepared
    •  Keep Oregon Green: Do Your Part
• Fun question for Hillarie! Peridotite [17:05]
• Introducing Chris McGinness, KGW 8 News (Portland) meteorologist and reporter [18:50]
• Using the AQI in weather reports [20:30]
• A typical reporting day in reporting air quality during Wildfire Season [22:10]
• The importance of air quality advisories in forecasting [24:30]
• What changes have occurred in air quality and AQ reporting over the last 10 years? [25:40]
• The difference between DEQ’s monitors and personal-use AQ monitors [28:00]
  • DEQ’s Air, Land & Water blog: “Quality Awareness Week: How do I make my air quality data count?” [29:00]
  • Quirks in monitor readings [31:00]
• Fun question for Chris! The Weather Channel [32:30]
• Wrap-up [35:25]
• Final takeaways [35:45]

Have questions or feedback? Contact GreenState at Green.State@oregon.gov or by leaving a message at 503-451-0585.