Oregon fires

[Kiwibird]

Our entire county (Clackamas) is on some level of evacuation notice. The vast majority is mandatory, though we are fortunately on the outskirts of Portland metro and still in the green “be ready” zone. If we do end up evacuated, we have no where to go and will end up in a public evacuation shelter with Cas and Kiwi (and Mr. Newt and our fish). Air quality is hazardous (beyond so, I’d say). We have all the windows closed, 4 air purifiers running full speed and it’s still slightly smoky indoors. There’s nothing more I can do. My throat and eyes are irritated, I can only imagine poor Cas and Kiwi with their more sensitive respiratory tracts. And Cas is used to going out every day and is going stir crazy inside. This is terrible.

This is also the thickest smoke I’ve ever seen in my life and I grew up in northern AZ where fires were an annual event. Even one year when homes across the road were burning as we left, I have never seen this much smoke. And this morning, there is some mist/fog in the air making it thick enough to cut with a knife. There is so much of our beautiful state on Fire right now, so many people’s homes have burned. It’s tragic. I also feel so bad for all the wildlife fleeing this who are going to be forced north into the suburbs/urban areas where people may not be so understanding of their predicament and how scared they are.

Anyone else up here in this?

(Our condo complex parking lot this morning)

(There is a MOUNTAIN literally backing up to these houses here that you cannot see!)

 

[noodles123]

It's a cool picture, but scary. Is there any filter on that image, or is that just how it really looks?

 

[Kiwibird]

It's a cool picture, but scary. Is there any filter on that image, or is that just how it really looks?

Nope, no filter. I didn’t edit at all. It actually looks worse in person than in the photo/video. The camera I think compensates a bit for the smoke closer up in the frame but when you step outside, everything is starting to be obscured by smoke even within feet of you. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. And I’m pretty sure we have some fog/mist this morning making it even worse visibility wise.

 

[noodles123]

that's crazy....how frightening and surreal!

In a pinch, you can make a box fan an air purifier by taping a hepa furnace filter to it---not great for VOCs etc, but could help if you need a 5th and are in a pinch.

 

[Kiwibird]

that's crazy....how frightening and surreal!

In a pinch, you can make a box fan an air purifier by taping a hepa furnace filter to it---not great for VOCs etc, but could help if you need a 5th and are in a pinch.

I’m debated by doing that to our box fan because you can smell smoke inside with air purifiers running. Tho I’m not sure how much an extra diy one would help.

 

[texsize]

I am sorry you are going through this.
My father (86) lives in Grants Pass. He lives on a hill an normally see all the way across the Rouge river valley. Now he can’t see the end of his driveway.

I watched a YouTube video of a guy bicycling through the burned out home’s.
The complete silence.. no birds...no dogs..no sound of life but the camera guy.

 

[SailBoat]

I do not remember what type of HVAC system your condo has. If you have the ability to upgrade to a hepa furnace filter, please do that ASAP. Commonly a single unit HVAC will have a standard furnace filter. By setting the unit to fan only, you can run the indoor air though the furnace filter. The best filters are 4" thick, but the 1" furnace filters using a 1" hepa is a good upgrade.

The idea of taking a Box Fan and placing a 4" thick Hepa furnace filter on the side that pulls air will also provide a great help and a great idea (thank you above). To a point that it will be noticeably better.

Please pre-pack and be ready to move quickly to a safer area. Web Search recommended safe zones and what is available. Please remember that if you wait until an emergency is declared you may not be able to move with your whole family. At that point it becomes Humans Only! So, if the fires are moving into your area, move in the other direction ahead of the Masses!

 

[18WheelsOfSteel]

Yeah, had to pack my brother and his roommate out a few days ago, was pretty bad, so far the house is ok but it's not even close to out of the thick of it, fires out here are an every year thing, but this year they are much closer to the metro than is common, there are reports that at least some part of this is arson, boy I sure hope not, special kind of evil to burn this much up for any reason on purpose.

 

[Laurasea]

Florida has fires once in awhile, and the smoke hadn't been as thick as you have, and I thought is was horrible! So i can't imagine what times 1000 must be like!!!
I don't even live there but it's so stress to see on the news.
I hope you and yours stay safe

 

[Scott]

What a horrible sight, utterly surreal. Stay safe, April and family, be prepared for quick evacuation if needed. Have your vehicle partially loaded and parked for quick getaway. My worst fear is waking at 2AM with no electricity and police vehicle megaphones urging immediate departure.

 

[HEEDLESS]

This is really bad... and the question for why those three states running fire along the line..........


It's cloudy here and I can even smell the smoke few days ago. The moon is red and hardly to see the sun.


I have one IQAir [HealthPro Plus Air Purifier and two Dyson Purifiers in my room.


For Kise, I have one IQAir [HealthPro Plus Air Purifier and one Dyson Purifier, and two Dyson Purifiers in the kitchen.


I hope that will be good for purifier for now, and praying for the fire to come to an END/STOP.


BE SAFE and STAY SAFE everyone......


**HUGS******* **CHUUUUUUUUUU***










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