Brown declares emergency for triple-digit heat; unhealthy air quality forecast

Zach Urness, Salem Statesman Journal
·3 min read
6

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency as extreme heat is projected to remain in the Willamette Valley the next five days.

With limited overnight cooling and highs near 100 every day in Salem, Brown made the declaration to ensure Oregon could respond to impacts likely to include utility outages and transportation disruptions.

"With many parts of Oregon facing a high heat wave, it is critical that every level of government has the resources they need to help keep Oregonians safe and healthy," Brown said in a news release. "I encourage everyone to take proactive steps to keep themselves and their families safe, including drinking plenty of fluids, taking advantage of cooling centers, and checking in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones.”

The National Weather Service in Portland extended an excessive heat warning from Salem to Portland through Thursday over concerns the heat will “significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities and for those that do not have access to air conditioning.”

The hottest temperatures of the week are expected Tuesday, with overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s in the Salem Metro providing “little relief for those without air conditioning,” the warning said. “Overnight temperatures are expected to lower below 70 degrees between 2 and 4 a.m.”

Cool temperatures have remained on the Oregon Coast, where Newport and Lincoln City will see highs in the 60s.

The state's highest temperatures are in southern Oregon, where Medford is forecast to see 108 to 109 degree highs over the next few days.

In addition, a cool down is forecast beginning Sunday, when high temperatures drop to 92, and next week, when highs in Salem are forecast in the mid-80s. Below normal temperatures are projected for northwest Oregon after this heatwave passes, according to long-term forecasts from NOAA.

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Salem, Eugene, Portland under air quality advisory through Saturday

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Tuesday for the Willamette Valley, including Salem and Eugene, due to elevated levels of ozone pollution, or smog.

DEQ officials said they expected ozone pollution to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups by Tuesday afternoon.

DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until Saturday night.

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The advisory also applies to the Portland/Vancouver metro area.

Sensitive groups include children, people over 65, pregnant people and people with heart disease or respiratory conditions. Health officials recommend those groups limit outdoor activities when pollution levels are high.

Oregon ranks air quality as good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy or hazardous.

High temperatures and low winds also can increase air pollution, by combining with pollution from cars, gas-powered engines and chemicals in paint and aerosols.

DEQ is urging residents to limit activities that cause pollution during heat waves. Recommendations include:

  • Limit driving by using public transit, carpooling or other alternative transportation.

  • Avoid unnecessary engine idling.

  • Refuel vehicles during cooler evening hours.

  • Postpone mowing the lawn or using leaf blowers.

  • Postpone painting and aerosol spray projects.

Current air quality conditions and advisories can be found on DEQ’s Air Quality Index at https://ordeq.org/oregonair or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on a smartphone.

--Tracy Loew

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Brown declares emergency as triple-digit heat boils Oregon next 5 days