SALEM — An air quality advisory for much of Northeast Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge, including Union, Wallowa, Baker and Umatilla counties has been issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

DEQ anticipates keeping the warning in place until the evening of Aug. 5, but advised residents to check the state’s Air Quality Index because conditions can change rapidly depending on the weather.

The advisory is is in place because of smoke Northeastern Oregon is receiving from wildfires in Canada, Washington and Idaho.

The air quality monitoring website +IQAir is projecting that air quality in La Grande and Enterprise will be moderate on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 and good on Aug. 5.

Poor air quality can irritate people’s eyes and lungs and can especially affect younger children, older adults, pregnant women and people with health conditions. DEQ is advising residents to stay at home, avoid strenuous outdoor activities and to use air filters and air purifiers when possible.

Cloth and surgical masks won’t protect residents from smoke particles, and while N95 masks or respirators could provide a safeguard against the smoke, they must be properly fitted and worn.