The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) has declared "Yellow" home wood heating days in Eugene, Springfield and Oakridge from Tuesday, Jan. 24 through Thursday, Jan. 26.

Despite the temperature reaching the low 30s, LRAPA is asking Lane County residents with electric stoves or natural gas to stop using fireplaces and wood stoves because the smoke may not ventilate.

The high air pressure hanging over the Pacific Northwest has caused air stagnation in Lane County, according to LRAPA.

"So during winter, we in Oregon, particularly the Willamette Valley, will have periods of air stagnation, and essentially, that just means the air is not moving around a whole lot," said LRAPA public affairs associate Travis Knudsen. "The air that's in the Willamette Valley, because it's cold, is trapped in the Willamette Valley, and it's the same air mass that we will see for the duration of this air stagnation event. So any pollution that's added into our air is essentially ours to breathe so long as we have this singular air mass under this air stagnation."

For those who do not have a secondary source of heating, LRAPA says to make sure to use seasoned wood with low moisture when burning a wood stove.

During this yellow advisory, LRAPA says harsh chimney smoke can result in a penalty or fine.

There will be three LRAPA compliance officers checking the smoke levels in residential areas in Lane County.

To check the advisory, you can head to the Home Wood Heating Advisory page to learn more about the current advisories.