LRAPA issues red home wood heating advisory and Air Quality Advisory for the Southern Willamette Valley.

For immediate release…

LANE COUNTY — The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) announces an Air Quality Advisory for the Southern Willamette Valley, including the Greater Eugene/Springfield Metro Area, effective immediately and continues into Thursday. This advisory is paired with the first red home wood heating day of the season for Eugene and Springfield.

“We’re having cold mornings, and our air is stagnant on top of it,” says Travis Knudsen, LRAPA spokesperson. “Overnight smoke from chimneys and wood stoves is remaining near the Earth’s surface and reducing air quality in the morning hours until the daily inversion breaks.”

A red home wood heating advisory is an important measure to protect public health from  increased levels of particulate matter, primarily from wood smoke. During this period, the use of wood stoves, fireplaces, and other solid fuel heating devices is prohibited within the city limits of Eugene and Springfield, except for those with an economic exemption. Exemption applications are available on LRAPA’s website.

This advisory is an effort to ensure the well-being of all residents in the Southern Willamette Valley. Wood combustion is the biggest cause of winter-time air pollution in Lane County.

Degraded air quality can trigger asthma attacks or increase negative long-term health impacts including. Certain groups, such as children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with preexisting respiratory and cardiac conditions are more vulnerable to reduced air quality.

LRAPA continues to monitor air quality closely and will provide updates. Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting LRAPA’s website or calling the Home Wood Heating Advisory Line at (541) 746-4328 for the daily advisory.