Wood Smoke Pollution Advisory: residents asked to voluntarily avoid burning this weekend

November 2, 2019

The Multnomah County Health Department today issued a YELLOW air quality advisory asking people to voluntarily avoid burning wood, starting at noon on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.

The advisory will be lifted when monitoring and forecasting data show improved conditions. This is the first advisory of the 2019-2020 season, which runs from October 1-March 1.

Weather conditions are creating stagnant air that can trap pollutants as officials predict slowing winds and inversions through the weekend. This air can be unhealthy to breathe. Sensitive groups such as children and those with respiratory disease may be affected more than others.

To help protect you, your family and our community, the Health Department asks that people voluntarily limit unnecessary burning until this advisory has been lifted. This includes the use of fireplaces, wood stoves, chimineas, and outdoor burning by businesses and individuals.

This advisory does not apply to cooking. And if wood is your only source of heat, you can still heat your home with wood. 

Multnomah County encourages you to use cleaner, more efficient heating devices to heat your home. If you must burn, follow these four easy steps to help reduce output of harmful wood smoke:

  • Burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split, stacked, covered and stored.

  • Test wood with a moisture meter before burning (20% moisture or less is best).

  • Use a cleaner-burning EPA or DEQ certified gas or wood stove.

  • Burn small, hot fires. Provide sufficient air to the fire; never let it smolder.

Learn more about the health effects of wood smoke and what you can do to reduce wood smoke at www.epa.gov/burnwise.

To sign up for advisory alerts, visit /woodsmokestatus. Advisories are also posted to the website and on the Multnomah County’s Health Department social media pages. 

For exemption requests, questions, or other information, you can contact woodsmokecomplaints@multco.us or call 503-988-0035.