Expect test messages to all TVs, radios, and cell phones. This is a test of the nationwide emergency warning systems by FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

For cell phones:

• Beginning at 11:20 a.m. PT, cell towers will broadcast the test for 30 minutes. Your phone may receive the message any time in the 30 minutes. During this time, wireless emergency alert (WEA)-compatible phones that are on, within range of an active cell tower, and in an area where the wireless provider participates in WEA, should receive the test message.
• Similar to when your phone receives an Amber Alert, the WEA alert tone plays when the alert is received, and the phone vibrates. On some devices, the alert stops as soon as the user clicks a button.
• A message on the phone will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
• Phones set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
• If a phone is turned off before the test alert is sent and not turned back on until after the WEA Test expires (approximately 30 minutes), the phone should not get the test message.
• All wireless phones should receive the message only once.

For radio and TV:

• The emergency alert system (EAS) portion of the test is scheduled to last one minute on all radio and television stations, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
• The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET (11:20 to 11:50 PT). This is only a test. No action is required by the public.

In an emergency, federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies send alerts in targeted areas. To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.

If the test is postponed due to severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.

September 15, 2023, 11:20 a.m.

The Eugene campus is experiencing the impacts of wildfire smoke from nearby fires and the AQI is currently over 100.

If on campus, please close windows and doors. Laboratories, please close hoods if feasible.

The University has a series of both requirements and recommendations for action when AQI reaches certain levels. These are summarized below. 

Oregon OSHA has a series of requirements for UO staff working outdoors.  Supervisors will receive notifications at 101, 251 and 501, and when the AQI moves below these levels. Direction notifications will be made to supervisors when these levels are reached. 

• >100:  Outdoor staff may voluntarily use an N95 respirator to continue their outdoor work.  
• >250:  Outdoor staff should be reassigned work to indoor locations to the extent possible. For work that must continue outside, N95 respirators are now required.
• >500: Staff working outdoors must have prior enrollment in the UO Respiratory Protection and use of appropriate respirators is required.

UO has developed a policy for UO hosted programs.  Program staff who have signed up for AQI notifications will receive texts and emails at 101, 251 and 501, and when the AQI moves below these levels.  Individuals and event organizers should self-monitor AirNow for AQI levels between 151 and 250. No direct notifications will be made at these levels. 

• >100: Recommended that youth programs suspend or move inside.  
• >150: Members of the campus community are expected to use their best judgment in assessing the risk of smoke exposure related to coming and going to campus and participating in outdoor activities on campus, based on individual circumstances. 
• >200:  Recommended that all programs suspend or move inside.  
• >250: All UO hosted programs must be suspended or moved inside.  

Information on campus operations related to wildfire smoke is available on the Human Resources website. 

Air Quality Safety Tips

• Air pollution levels are measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI) which includes gases and particulate matter. The higher the levels on the AQI, the greater the potential health risks.
• Smoke can cause adverse health effects. While wildfire smoke can contain hazardous chemicals, the main exposure concern for people who are not close to the fire are the tiny particles (particulate matter or PM) suspended in the air. The smallest particles, called PM 2.5 because they are 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller, are considered most harmful because they can penetrate deep within the respiratory system.
• Elevated levels of particulate matter found in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs and cause persistent coughing, phlegm, wheezing, itchy eyes, sinus issues, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Particulate matter can also cause more serious problems, such as: reduced lung function, bronchitis, worsening of asthma, and heart failure.
• Sensitivity to PM varies by individual. Sensitive groups may include people with heart or lung disease (e.g., asthma, COPD), individuals over the age of 65, pregnant women, and children. Individuals who are sensitive to PM might experience symptoms at AQI levels below 150.
• Stay inside with the doors and windows closed and where possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities (e.g., going for a run) during heavy smoke events. Stay hydrated by drinking water. Consider using an N95 respirator mask, if necessary, when going outdoors.
• Recirculate the air in your home’s central heating/cooling system (shut off the fresh air intake) and make sure the filter has been recently changed. Avoid vacuuming, burning candles or other activities that increase indoor air pollution.

August 16, 2023  7:30 a.m.

The Eugene campus is experiencing the impacts of wildfire smoke from nearby fires and the AQI is currently over 100.

If on campus, please close windows and doors. Laboratories, please close hoods if feasible.

The University has a series of both requirements and recommendations for action when AQI reaches certain levels. These are summarized below. 

Oregon OSHA has a series of requirements for UO staff working outdoors.  Supervisors will receive notifications at 101, 251 and 501, and when the AQI moves below these levels. Direction notifications will be made to supervisors when these levels are reached. 

• >100:  Outdoor staff may voluntarily use an N95 respirator to continue their outdoor work.  
• >250:  Outdoor staff should be reassigned work to indoor locations to the extent possible. For work that must continue outside, N95 respirators are now required.
• >500: Staff working outdoors must have prior enrollment in the UO Respiratory Protection and use of appropriate respirators is required.

UO has developed a policy for UO hosted programs.  Program staff who have signed up for AQI notifications will receive texts and emails at 101, 251 and 501, and when the AQI moves below these levels.  Individuals and event organizers should self-monitor AirNow for AQI levels between 151 and 250. No direct notifications will be made at these levels. 

• >100: Recommended that youth programs suspend or move inside.  
• >150: Members of the campus community are expected to use their best judgment in assessing the risk of smoke exposure related to coming and going to campus and participating in outdoor activities on campus, based on individual circumstances. 
• >200:  Recommended that all programs suspend or move inside.  
• >250: All UO hosted programs must be suspended or moved inside.  

Information on campus operations related to wildfire smoke is available on the Human Resources website. 

Air Quality Safety Tips

• Air pollution levels are measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI) which includes gases and particulate matter. The higher the levels on the AQI, the greater the potential health risks.
• Smoke can cause adverse health effects. While wildfire smoke can contain hazardous chemicals, the main exposure concern for people who are not close to the fire are the tiny particles (particulate matter or PM) suspended in the air. The smallest particles, called PM 2.5 because they are 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller, are considered most harmful because they can penetrate deep within the respiratory system.
• Elevated levels of particulate matter found in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs and cause persistent coughing, phlegm, wheezing, itchy eyes, sinus issues, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Particulate matter can also cause more serious problems, such as: reduced lung function, bronchitis, worsening of asthma, and heart failure.
• Sensitivity to PM varies by individual. Sensitive groups may include people with heart or lung disease (e.g., asthma, COPD), individuals over the age of 65, pregnant women, and children. Individuals who are sensitive to PM might experience symptoms at AQI levels below 150.
• Stay inside with the doors and windows closed and where possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities (e.g., going for a run) during heavy smoke events. Stay hydrated by drinking water. Consider using an N95 respirator mask, if necessary, when going outdoors.
• Recirculate the air in your home’s central heating/cooling system (shut off the fresh air intake) and make sure the filter has been recently changed. Avoid vacuuming, burning candles or other activities that increase indoor air pollution.

August 15, 2023  7:30 a.m.

The Eugene campus is experiencing the impacts of wildfire smoke from nearby fires and the AQI is currently over 100.

If on campus, please close windows and doors. Laboratories, please close hoods if feasible.

The University has a series of both requirements and recommendations for action when AQI reaches certain levels. These are summarized below. 

Oregon OSHA has a series of requirements for UO staff working outdoors.  Supervisors will receive notifications at 101, 251 and 501, and when the AQI moves below these levels. Direction notifications will be made to supervisors when these levels are reached. 

• >100:  Outdoor staff may voluntarily use an N95 respirator to continue their outdoor work.  
• >250:  Outdoor staff should be reassigned work to indoor locations to the extent possible. For work that must continue outside, N95 respirators are now required.
• >500: Staff working outdoors must have prior enrollment in the UO Respiratory Protection and use of appropriate respirators is required.

UO has developed a policy for UO hosted programs.  Program staff who have signed up for AQI notifications will receive texts and emails at 101, 251 and 501, and when the AQI moves below these levels.  Individuals and event organizers should self-monitor AirNow for AQI levels between 151 and 250. No direct notifications will be made at these levels. 

• >100: Recommended that youth programs suspend or move inside.  
• >150: Members of the campus community are expected to use their best judgment in assessing the risk of smoke exposure related to coming and going to campus and participating in outdoor activities on campus, based on individual circumstances. 
• >200:  Recommended that all programs suspend or move inside.  
• >250: All UO hosted programs must be suspended or moved inside.  

Information on campus operations related to wildfire smoke is available on the Human Resources website. 

Air Quality Safety Tips

• Air pollution levels are measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI) which includes gases and particulate matter. The higher the levels on the AQI, the greater the potential health risks.
• Smoke can cause adverse health effects. While wildfire smoke can contain hazardous chemicals, the main exposure concern for people who are not close to the fire are the tiny particles (particulate matter or PM) suspended in the air. The smallest particles, called PM 2.5 because they are 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller, are considered most harmful because they can penetrate deep within the respiratory system.
• Elevated levels of particulate matter found in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs and cause persistent coughing, phlegm, wheezing, itchy eyes, sinus issues, difficulty breathing or chest tightness. Particulate matter can also cause more serious problems, such as: reduced lung function, bronchitis, worsening of asthma, and heart failure.
• Sensitivity to PM varies by individual. Sensitive groups may include people with heart or lung disease (e.g., asthma, COPD), individuals over the age of 65, pregnant women, and children. Individuals who are sensitive to PM might experience symptoms at AQI levels below 150.
• Stay inside with the doors and windows closed and where possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities (e.g., going for a run) during heavy smoke events. Stay hydrated by drinking water. Consider using an N95 respirator mask, if necessary, when going outdoors.
• Recirculate the air in your home’s central heating/cooling system (shut off the fresh air intake) and make sure the filter has been recently changed. Avoid vacuuming, burning candles or other activities that increase indoor air pollution.

Display boards should no longer be showing an Emergency Alert Message. The technical issue has been resolved. If you continue to see the red screen with an Emergency Alert message today, submit a service ticket with Information Services (https://service.uoregon.edu). There is no current emergency on the Eugene UO campus.