Concerns of Breathing in Wild Fire Smoke

Wild fire smoke is still lingering around Southern Oregon and northern California.

The Jackson County Medical Director says breathing this smoke in can have immediate and long term affects.

With highs the middle to upper 60s.

Well h officials today about the impact these fires can have when it comes to airborne hazards.

What can you tell us?

Wildfire smoke is still lingering around southern oregon and northern california.

Harry: "these are pretty unprecedented.

The amount of fire damage.

The number of homes burned and structure burned is just something oregon hasn't seen."

Many people are ready to go back to the evacuated areas but the communications manager for oregon's department of environmental quality says it might take longer than some people would like.

Harry: "i don't really have an answer on the timeline.

I know people want to set started quickly.

I think we'll know more in the next few days."

He says the d-e-q is working with federal government agencies.

These agencies are helping assess the environmental risks and debris removal as well as funding.

In the meantime, he suggests people stay away from areas affected by the fires.

Harry esteve: "but right now, and this is not the greatest message but, our message is to be patient.

Its pretty dangerous to go back to these burn structure and to disturb the material there because its very likely it has hazardous substance there, partially asbestos."

Harry says there can also be other dangerous chemicals in the air from metals being burned.

The jackson county medical director jim shames says these chemicals are not a big concern as long as people listen to evacuation orders.

The big concern, dr shames says is the amount of people displaced and forced to breathe in wildfire smoke.

Dr. shames: "this much exposure to toxic air is really bad for your immediate health and can be bad for your long term health."

He said the dust and particles are so small it can make its way into our blood stream.

This can irritate your heart.

Dr. shames encourages everyone to wear either an n95 or kn95 mask.

Especially now that these masks are back in stock in jackson county.

Dr. jim shames: fire season isn't over.

We need to take the lessons we learned and keep them in our back pockets incase we need them again."

Dr. shames said he recommends people to buy one and keep it for future use as well.

Dr. shames said they are trying to