Business Preparedness
During a wildfire event:
- Monitor fire and smoke risk in your area. One resource is DEQ’s Air Quality Index.
- Relocate or reassign outdoor work activities out of the smoke zone. Employees who work outdoors, have respiratory conditions or cardiovascular disease, smoke, or are pregnant have a higher risk of health impacts.
- Cease work when air quality and/or visibility presents health and safety hazards.
Decision Making and Communications for Outdoor Performances, School Activities, Sporting Events and Recreation Organizers
Ashland offers great outdoor recreation and each year 350,000 people visit Ashland to see outdoor performances offered at several venues including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Be prepared to make decisions that will protect the health of the people in your community when smoke from wildfires travels into our local community. If you are a community leader, an event/sports organizer, or someone who serves a sensitive population you may be asking yourself some questions when it is smoky outside: Should the recreation event or performance continue? Do I cancel my outdoor event?
Communicate with Event Participants
The health of the visitors, participants, students, and athletes is something that should be considered during wildfires season and smoky days, especially if they are part of a smoke sensitive population:
- You should use the 5-3-1 Visibility Method to make decisions and check air quality monitors.
- Follow the Guide for Public Officials during a smoke event.
- Use the Public Health Guidance for School Outdoor Activities During Wildfire Events to determine if poor air quality will cancel a show or event.
- Use local means of mass communication to let visitors, participants and local citizens know of changes in the schedule.
- Common ways for disseminating your message include: text message service, phone trees, email, website, social media and newspaper, radio and television.
- Prepare communication in advance of a wildfire.
- Have prepared messages and health information available.