5-3-1 method can help determine wildfire smoke dangers

Matt Jordan July 26, 2019

Last Updated: July 26, 2019

Jackson County, Ore — As smoke from the Mile Post 97 fire continues to fill into the Valley, Jackson County Health and Human Services wants you to be extra cautious in the outdoors.

So officials are advising residents to use the 5-3-1 method to determine how dangerous the smoke is.

Using well known landmarks, like Roxy Ann Peak, if a landmark five miles away is barely visible, the air is likely unhealthy for sensitive groups.

“Once you get down to 3 miles away the air is unhealthy for everyone and you need to stay indoors and do the things that will reduce the impact of smoke, if you can’t even see 1 mile away then the air is hazardous for everybody,” said Dr. Jim Shames Health Officer for Jackson County.

Wildfire smoke contains particulates smaller than 2.5 millimeters that are known to cause inflammation of internal organs, especially the lungs.

Matt Jordan July 26, 2019

Matt Jordan

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Matt Jordan is the Chief Meteorologist for KOBI-TV NBC5. Matt joined the NBC5 weather team in 2014 after a year as a reporter and anchor in Alexandria, Louisiana. His experience with the severe weather of the Deep South and a love of the Pacific Northwest led him to pursue a certification with Mississippi State University as a Broadcast Meteorologist. You can find Matt working in the evenings of NBC5 News at 5, 6 and 11 as well as online. Matt also has a degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. In addition to being passionate about news and weather, Matt is a BIG Oregon Ducks fan. When not rooting for the Ducks or tracking down the next storm over the Pacific, Matt can be found outdoors in the Oregon wilderness with his wife, his daughter and their dogs Stanley and Gordi.