Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced legislation that would provide federal emergency assistance to at-risk individuals suffering from unhealthy air quality caused by wildfire smoke.  The pair says their Wildfire Smoke Relief Act of 2019 would help people most vulnerable to the health damages from wildfire smoke — children, elderly people, pregnant women, low-income families that may lack filtration protections at home, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions.  The bill would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide low-cost home improvements and smoke inhalation prevention equipment to those at-risk when wildfire smoke causes unhealthy air quality levels for three consecutive days, or provide sheltering assistance when preventative measures are inadequate.  Merkley and Wyden also have introduced four other bills intended to help the public, businesses and agricultural operations combat wildfire smoke’s effects, and recover from the damage it causes.