Lake Oswego shut down National Night Out, the Public Golf Course, the Swim Park and adult softball games Tuesday as wildfire smoke pushed the Air Quality Index into unhealthy territory.
The city activated its safety protocols for outdoor activities after the AQI hit 152, according to a city social media post reported by the Lake Oswego Review. By 6:30 p.m., AirNow.gov showed the reading had climbed to 161. Anything above 150 is classified as unhealthy on the federal scale.
The city said it closed "several outdoor facilities" and canceled "select activities for the remainder of the day" to protect the health of residents, participants and staff.
National Night Out had been planned for 5–9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, with Lake Oswego Police and Fire Department personnel, Adult Community Center staff and Library staff all scheduled to visit neighborhood barbecues and potlucks across the city. The nationwide event brings residents together with local police and fire personnel each summer.
The cancellations mark the latest disruption from a wildfire season that started early and is expected to last into October amid historic heat and drought, according to state officials. As we reported July 22, Clackamas County was placed under a separate air quality advisory by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality due to smoke from wildfires burning in Central and Eastern Oregon.
Guidance from Gabriela Goldfarb, manager of the Oregon Health Authority's environmental public health section, issued in June calls for canceling outdoor activities or moving them indoors whenever the AQI exceeds 150. County health officials recommend staying inside, using air filters and wearing an N95 mask if outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
The city has not announced whether National Night Out will be rescheduled or when the Golf Course and Swim Park will reopen.
What to know
- AQI threshold: 150+ is "unhealthy" and triggers mandatory outdoor activity cancellations under state and city protocols.
- Health guidance: Stay indoors, use air filters, limit outdoor exertion. Wear an N95 mask if you must go outside.
- Monitor conditions: Check AirNow.gov for real-time readings in the Lake Oswego area.
