Wildfire Advisory

Give us a call today: 503-254-1274

To our valued customers:

Our hearts go out to the local community who have been affected by the wildfires. While our office is currently open, things may change as we continue to monitor the situation. Please be advised that there may be delays in returning calls and we kindly ask that you bear with us as we safely navigate through this current state of emergency. 

Here are some tips and suggestions for homeowners on how to prepare and protect your home and home air quality during current and future wildfires:

Prevention 

1. Cover attic, eave and sub-floor vents with noncombustible screening.
2. Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screens over vents and under decks to prevent ember intrusion.
3. Install tempered glass or multilayered glazed panels in exterior windows, glass doors and skylights.
4. Remove flammable materials like trash, furniture and vehicles from around your home.
5. You may decide to purchase a portable air cleaner or high efficiency HVAC system filter as part of your preparation in order to help improve your indoor air quality during a wildfire smoke event.

During 

1. Shut off the gas.
2. If you can’t shut it off, avoid using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces.
3. If you have an HVAC system with a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode, or close the outdoor intake damper. You can also use your A/C to circulate the air.
4. Close all windows and doors, and remove window coverings such as curtains or blinds.
5. Fill pools, hot tubs, garbage cans or other large containers with water.
6. Disconnect automatic garage door openers so if the power goes out, you can still open the door.
7. Keep lights on for visibility in smoky conditions. Distribute flashlights.
8. If you have a window air conditioner, close the outdoor air damper. If you cannot close the damper, do not use the window air conditioner. Make sure that the seal between the air conditioner and the window is as tight as possible.
9. If you have a portable air conditioner with a single hose, typically vented out of a window, do not use it in smoky conditions. If you have a portable air conditioner with two hoses, make sure that the seal between the window vent kit and the window is as tight as possible.
10. Use a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency filter to remove fine particles from the air.
11. If you have an HVAC system with a high-efficiency filter installed, run the system’s fan as often as possible to remove particles while the air quality is poor.
12. Air out your home by opening windows or the fresh air intake on your HVAC system when the air quality improves, even temporarily.

Resources

For more information on the current wildfires, and home safety, please reference the links below:

• Hazard Mapping System - Fire and Smoke
• Intelligencer - West Coast Wildfire Season
• CNN - Wildfires Rage in California, Oregon and Washington Live Updates
• USA Today - Wildfires: California, Oregon, & Colorado
• Nationwide - How to Prepare for a Wildfire
• EPA - What Can I Do During a Wildfire Smoke Event to Reduce My Family's Exposure to Smoke Indoors?
• Home Air Quality Guides - 10 Ways for How to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke 

[READ MORE +]