OR Health Officials Remind You To Be Prepared For Wildfire Smoke

Breathing wildfire smoke for days or living under the threat of evacuation is stressful. Oregon State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger said being ready can help reduce the stress.

"Being prepared, taking those ahead of time allows you to respond in an emergency and can help reduce the stress when the situation arises," Sidelinger said.

He recommended putting together a Go Kit you can grab if you need to evacuate … use a fan with a filter to reduce smoke in your home. And Sidelinger said the repetitive nature of air quality alerts or evacuations add up.

"Each time the situation arises again, especially if it's directly impacting us and we're thinking about taking steps, it brings a reminder of the painful experiences we've had in the past, and so that stress can compound and add to the way we're feeling."

Sidelinger said you can reduce stress by disconnecting from news and social media … Rest and sleep are also important. If you need more help, there's the 988 Crisis Line or Lines For Life at 800-923-HELP.

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