Thousands Advised To Remain Indoors In Florida, Georgia and Oregon

Residents in parts of Florida, Georgia and Oregon face potentially unhealthy levels of air pollution early on Friday, according to a live map from AirNow.

The map shows an area of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution in the “very unhealthy” Air Quality Index (AQI) category in northern Florida, encompassing towns including Sanderson and Lake Butler. The warning also covers a small section of southeastern Georgia.

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Meanwhile, in Oregon, a pocket of air in the “unhealthy” category is located south of Bend and northeast of Medford, covering the town of La Pine.

When air quality reaches the “very unhealthy” category, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that the general population avoids long or intense outdoor activities, and to consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.

Sensitive groups—which includes children, older adults, and those with certain medical conditions such as heart or lung disease—are advised to avoid all physical activity outdoors.

For the “unhealthy” category, officials advise that sensitive groups avoid long or intense outdoor activities, and the remainder of the population reduce long or intense activities and take more breaks during activities outdoors.

The Air Quality Index measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 301 and above:

0—50 (Green): Good — air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.51—100 (Yellow): Moderate — air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.101—150 (Orange): Unhealthy for sensitive groups — members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.151—200 (Red): Unhealthy — some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.201—300 (Purple): Very unhealthy — health alert. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.301 and higher (Maroon): Hazardous — health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected.

Air quality data resource AirNow is a partnership between the EPA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and several other agencies.

In Oregon, an air stagnation advisory has been issued for northeast and southeast portions of the state, with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning that poor air quality could cause issues for those with respiratory problems.

“An extended period of stagnant air with light winds and little vertical mixing. This is due to an inversion near the surface that will continue to trap pollutants,” the alert said.

The warning will be in force until 4 a.m. PST on Monday.