Oregon High School Seniors Found BetAIR to Combat Wildfire Smoke Impact

As wildfire seasons become increasingly severe, Oregon faces significant challenges, with the Cram fire alone burning over 95 thousand acres and prompting a state of emergency declaration. In response, Sohan Govindaraju and Shriya Marla, high school seniors from Jesuit High School in Portland, have founded BetAIR, a nonprofit aimed at mitigating the health impacts of wildfire smoke through the distribution of DIY air filter boxes to at-risk households.

BetAIR's mission is rooted in the belief that clean air is a necessity, not a privilege. The organization has already made strides in communities across Oregon, including East County, Downtown Portland, and Bend, by distributing clean air boxes and educating over 300 students on the dangers of wildfire smoke. Supported by a grant from the Oregon Department of Forestry's Urban & Community Forestry unit, BetAIR is now seeking additional funding to expand its reach to low-income neighborhoods, which are disproportionately affected by poor air quality.

The initiative has garnered praise from Scott Altenhoff, Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager, who highlighted BetAIR's innovative approach to combining technology with community engagement to address a pressing public health issue. Partnerships with local organizations and government agencies further underscore the nonprofit's commitment to fostering a cleaner, safer Oregon.

For more information on BetAIR's efforts to combat the adverse effects of wildfire smoke, visit https://www.betairoregon.com/.