Date: January 1, 2015 Contact: Jo Niehaus, 736-‐1056, ext

Date: January 1, 2015 Contact: Jo Niehaus, 736-‐1056, ext. 217 Lane County Media: 15-‐1 For Immediate Release Heavy stagnation causes burn ban in Eugene/Springfield and Oakridge FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 10:00 AM January 1, 2015 – Continued air stagnation and strong inversions have pushed the Eugene/Springfield area into a “RED” wood burning advisory beginning January 1st, 2015 at 4 pm. Oakridge also remains at the “RED” advisory level. The “RED” advisory does not allow for any visible smoke from a chimney at a residential home. People are asked at this time to refrain from burning and use alternative forms of heat. For low income residents, an exemption form is available on the agency’s website at www.lrapa.org in both English and Spanish, under “Announcements & Updates.” “While we want to discourage burning, we also know that for some people, they cannot afford other forms of heat,” said LRAPA spokesperson, Jo Niehaus. “However, even with an exemption, clean burning practices are required and thick smoke is still not allowed. For people who do have access to other heating sources, burning with any visible smoke is strictly prohibited during a red advisory.” LRAPA would like to remind residents that during a red advisory any visible smoke from a woodstove or fireplace could result in enforcement action and a fine. Residents in Eugene/Springfield can expect to see LRAPA enforcement staff present in the community on red advisory days. In Oakridge, City police handle enforcement and issue tickets to violators. During stagnant periods, fine particles from smoke and vehicle exhaust get trapped at ground-‐level, where they can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and damage delicate lung tissues. The effect can cause health problems for sensitive individuals. People most at risk are those with asthma, heart or lung diseases, and older adults and children. Anyone with these conditions should avoid prolonged exercise or heavy exertion if they experience health symptoms, and follow their doctor’s advice. LRAPA is forecasting unhealthy air quality levels for Oakridge and Eugene/Springfield over the next few days as high pressure dominates the region and air stagnation continues. The agency regularly forecasts pollution levels and provides the community with a daily home wood burning advisory. Call the Home Wood Heating Hotline, 541-‐746-‐
4328, or check www.LRAPA.org for current advisories and up-‐to-‐date air quality information. Daily forecasts are also published in the Register Guard newspaper and reported during local television weather forecasts. LRAPA is closely monitoring the smoke situation and provide updates as needed. The public can track 12 hour averages for particulate matter by logging onto the LRAPA website at www.LRAPA.org or on twitter @LaneRegionalAir. For more information, please call Jo Niehaus, LRAPA’s public affairs manager at 541-‐
736-‐1056 ext 217. # # #

Download Report