UPDATE noon, Nov. 16: Health officials moved from "Red" to "Yellow," as air quality improved slightly. A "Yellow" day indicates a voluntary curtailment, when residents are asked not to burn.
California wildfires, local wood burning and stagnant air are leading to smoky skies and increasingly unhealthy air in the Portland Metro area this week, according to the National Weather Service.
Health officials this afternoon issued a mandatory wood burning restriction to residents in Multnomah County. Air quality data and weather indicate conditions are unhealthy for wood burning. Beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, homeowners, renters and businesses cannot use wood stoves, fireplaces or any outdoor wood burning devices until the burn restriction is lifted.
“Winter wood smoke is one of our major contributors to air pollution,” said Andrea Hamberg, who oversees air quality programs for the Multnomah County Health Department. “We might not be able to control the smoke coming up from across state lines, but we can certainly help by doing our part. And that means not using your wood stove, fireplace or fire pit until the air clears up."
Some exceptions exist to the burn restriction. Burning is only allowed if:
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Wood is the household’s sole source of heat.
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The household income is 60 percent or less than the Oregon median income.
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A power outage, service interruption or shortage cuts off a primary source of heat.
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The heating system is overwhelmed by very cold temperatures and cannot produce enough heat.
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Food is being cooked with a charcoal grill, smoker or wood-fired oven.
This is the first time a mandatory burn curtailment has been called under an ordinance passed in January 2018 by the Board of County Commissioners. Washington County has also issued a burn restriction. Conditions are expected to persist through Friday, when a shift in wind may bring some relief.
The smoke and fine particulate matter created when wood burns is a leading cause of wintertime air pollution in Multnomah County, and the ordinance helps protect people who are most vulnerable to poor air quality. Current conditions are considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ such as children, the elderly, and those with heart and lung conditions.
“This kind of air pollution can trigger trouble breathing among the old, the young and those who already have heart and lung problems,” said Dr. Jennifer Vines, Multnomah County Deputy Health Officer, “The good news is there is something we can do about it.”
Beginning Oct. 1, officials at Multnomah County Environmental Health began conducting daily forecasting in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the National Weather Service to identify potential poor air quality days. The seasonal wood burning ordinance is in effect each year from Oct. 1 through March 1.
When conditions suggest an upcoming inversion (cooler air trapped below warmer air) along with pollution, Multnomah County may announce a burn restriction, which remains in effect for 24 hours unless an extension is warranted.
When air quality and weather are very bad, a dial posted on the website will point to Red — “Burn restriction.” When air quality and weather suggest moderately unhealthy conditions, a dial posted on the website will point to Yellow — “Voluntary burn restriction.” The county has called nine voluntary burn restriction days so far this season.
When conditions are normal, the dial will return to “Green’’ for no restrictions.
Stay Informed
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Curtailment notices are published on the county’s Wood Winter Wood Burning Restriction page.
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Curtailment notices are shared through social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
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Notices of mandatory wood burning restrictions are pushed out through Public Alerts.
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Residents may sign up to receive emails of curtailment notices.
Violations
Report a suspected violation of a mandatory burn restriction to Multnomah County Environmental Health.
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Call 503-988-0035
More Resources
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Multnomah County residents can check the Winter Wood Burning Restrictions Page for updates.
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Washington County residents can check the county’s Air Quality page for updates.
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Track air quality on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality map.
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Tri-County Health Officer Dr. Paul Lewis suggests some easy air quality improvement at home.
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Remember, not all masks are created equal.
