As summers become hotter and smokier, it’s more important than ever that we look out for each other.
In September 2020, the skies over Oregon and California turned orange. Wildfire smoke blotted out the sun, and it became hazardous to even step outside. The following year, temperatures hit record highs in what climateologists called a once-in-a-millennium event: the 2021 heat dome. More than 600 people in Oregon and Washington died; Ashland was a blistering 112 degrees Fahrenheit.
These hot, smoky summers weren’t always the norm in Ashland, but it’s clear that they’re here to stay. Before 2012, we averaged just one or two smoke days per year, according to a report by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Between 2012 and 2025, that average jumped to 13 per year. Meanwhile, the number of hot and very hot days is steadily increasing.
You don’t want to mess around with extreme heat and smoke. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. Meanwhile, wildfire-smoke inhalation is associated with a host of short- and long-term health outcomes, including respiratory irritation, asthma, lung inflammation, and heart disease. In 2019 alone, exposure to PM2.5, the primary pollutant in wildfire smoke, was linked to an estimated 48,000 deaths.
But as a community, we have the tools to protect one another. Learn what resources are available — and how you can help your neighbors.
Staying safe in a heat wave
During extreme heat, air conditioning saves lives. Research conducted in Multnomah County found that 72 people died from heat-related illness during the summer of 2021, the year of the catastrophic heat dome. The vast majority had no access to air conditioning.
Oregon used to distribute free air-conditioning units to those in need. Unfortunately, loss of federal funding forced the state to shut down that program — but other options still exist for low-income Oregonians. Some Oregon Health Plan members may qualify for a free air conditioner and air filter. For low-income community members who don’t have Jackson Care Connect or Oregon Health Plan, NOWIA UNETE Center for Farm Work Advocacy also offers a limited number of free air conditioning units each year. To find out if you’re eligible, call 541-245-1624 or email info@uneteoregon.org.
If you have the means to purchase your own air conditioning unit, consider investing in a heat pump or a mini-split. These devices don’t just keep homes cool in the summer — they also provide heat in the winter. Plus, they’re ultra-energy efficient, so they’re kind to your wallet and the planet. The City of Ashland and the State of Oregon both offer incentives for purchasing these devices: up to $1,200 from the City and $2,000 from the state. Federal incentives are also available, but only through the end of 2025 — so don’t wait. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit covers 30% of the cost of a heat pump, up to $2,000, as a tax credit.
Finally, if you don’t have access to an air conditioning unit when temperatures climb, get yourself to a cooling center. These temporary shelters provide air conditioning, beds, food, and drink. While Ashland’s severe weather shelter is temporarily closed, ACCESS offers a shelter in Medford with capacity for up to 64 people. Non-aggressive pets are welcome, too.
Breathing easy on smoky days
Wildfire smoke contains a nasty mixture of pollutants, including volatile organic compounds and PM2.5 — tiny pieces of debris that can enter the lungs and even the bloodstream, causing a range of adverse effects. Studies suggest that when concentrations of PM2.5 rise by even a small amount, so do hospitalizations for heart and lung conditions.
The first step for staying safe from wildfire smoke is to stay informed: apps and websites like IQAir and PurpleAir give up-to-date information on air quality, including recommendations on when it’s safe to exercise outdoors and who should exercise caution on smoky days.
On smoky days, stay indoors when possible — and make sure your indoor air is safe. Every summer, Smokewise Ashland offers workshops where attendees make their own air purifiers using a box fan and a filter. This year’s workshops will take place August 9 and 16. Sign up for the Free DIY Air Filter Workshop & Class.
Weatherizing your home is another important strategy for staying safe from smoke. Home upgrades that reduce air leakage can help seal out smoke, and HVAC system repairs can help improve indoor air quality. Jackson County residents earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level can apply for these upgrades free of cost from the Medford-based non-profit ACCESS. Not only will these repairs keep indoor air clean, they also reduce energy bills by keeping the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Helping our neighbors
During the 2021 heat dome, the majority of people who died were over 60 years old or lived alone. Knowing and checking in on your neighbors — especially older adults and those living alone — can save lives.
A great way to build those community connections is by joining a climate club, said Jim Hartman, the leader of Ashland Climate Collaborative’s Neighborhood Climate Action Network. Climate clubs are groups that meet regularly to share food, socialize, and discuss climate-related topics, including heat and smoke.
Jim has seen firsthand how these groups step up during extreme weather. One club member, advised by her doctor to get air conditioning, couldn’t afford a unit — until another member helped her buy one. And after a recent thunderstorm sparked the Neil Creek fire, Jim checked in on his elderly neighbors. “The power was out, it was dark,” he said. “They really appreciated it.”
These moments of connection are reminders that resilience isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about people. As our summers grow more challenging, the strongest defense we have is a well-informed, well-connected community.