DON'T BURN: Air Quality Descends Into Unhealthy Territory

It's not forest fires this time -- smoke from fireplaces, woodstoves, controlled burns and everyday pollution from cars and manufacturing is trapped in Southern Oregon under a mass of stagnant air.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Air Quality Index showed some areas already suffering with numbers in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" this morning.

Air quality in Klamath Falls has been in the unhealthy range for three days now, and county officials have been busy handing out notices of violation to homeowners who have been caught burning brush piles or using wood stoves and fireplaces that produce too much smoke, worsening the poor air conditions.

The Air Quality Advisory in Klamath Falls is "red," which means only pellet stoves may be used. Outdoor burning is prohibited countywide.

In Jackson County, the adivosry is "yellow," which means only certified woodstoves can be used. Open burning is prohibited. Despite air stagnation warnings and burn ban notices that began Friday, county officials reported seeing numerous open burns across Jackson County. Call 776-7007 for information on open burning in Jackson County.

AIR QUALITY INDEX NUMBERS FOR 5:28 PM

• Albany -- 48 Good
• Applegate Valley -- 38 Good
• Baker City -- 43 Good
• Beaverton -- 79 Moderate
• Bend -- 29 Good
• Burns -- 71 Moderate
• Cave Junction -- 33 Good
• Corvallis -- 57 Moderate
• Enterprise -- 58 Moderate
• Grants Pass -- 52 Moderate
• John Day -- 43 Good
• Klamath Falls -- 104 (unhealthy for sensitive groups)
• La Grande -- 21 Good
• Lakeview -- 114 UFSG
• Madras -- 88 Moderate
• McMinnville -- 57 Moderate
• Medford -- 75 Moderate
• Pendleton -- 91 Moderate
• Portland -- 93 -- Moderate
• Prineville -- 95 Moderate
• Roseburg -- 66 Moderate
• Salem -- 69 Moderate
• Shady Cove -- 37 Good
• Sweet Home -- 94 Moderate
• The Dalles -- 55 Moderate

An AQI of 50 or less is "good." An index of 51-100 is "moderate" while 101 to 150 is "unhealthy for sensitive groups," primarily those with health problems or those who are very young or very old. As the index gets higher, physical exertion outdoors is discouraged.