9/6/2013 Rim Fire Air Quality Report

Air Quality Report                                                                                   Friday, September 6, 2013

Rim Fire, Stanislaus National Forest

Yesterday, September 5, 2013

Over the past two days the Rim Fire has grown approximately 9,000 acres, the majority of which occurred yesterday. It is currently 246,350 acres. Smoke under the inversion cleared by around noon in most areas. Transport winds had a slightly more westerly component so, smoke returned to communities northeast of the fire, including Pinecrest, Bear Valley, Markleeville, and Minden, but remained just south of Carson City and the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Yosemite and San Joaquin Valleys were not impacted by smoke from the Rim Fire.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Conditions this morning are a little better than yesterday in many areas. The heaviest morning smoke impacts are in communities to the northeast and in the immediate fire area such as Pinecrest, Bear Valley, Markleeville, and Minden. Morning smoke was not as heavy in Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Tuolumne City, and Sonora. This morning’s inversion should break a little before noon. All areas should see their best air quality in the afternoon. Daytime transport winds will remain southwesterly, keeping smoke out of the Yosemite Valley, El Portal, and the San Joaquin Valley. Nighttime impacts similar to yesterday are likely for Carson City and Minden, continuing into Friday morning.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

The weather pattern is changing. Transport winds begin to weaken some and become more west-southwesterly. The morning inversion is still forecast to be quite strong, and likely to persist until around noon. Morning smoke impacts in communities within the immediate fire area and south and west of the fire in Mariposa, La Grange, Greeley Hill, Columbia, and Sonora are likely. Pinecrest, Bear Valley, Markleeville, and Minden will still see the heaviest impacts. All areas should clear for a few hours in the afternoon. The Yosemite Valley should remain in the good range, although Tuolumne Meadows may begin to see some impacts as winds become more westerly.

Long term Outlook

Sunday morning smoke impacts are predicted to extend further into the central valley, mainly to the west and northwest of the fire area, but impacts are possible further south in the northern San Joaquin Valley as well. Daytime transport winds are forecast to become west to northwest, with the possibility of sending smoke from the Rim fire into the Yosemite Region. Widespread, light smoke is predicted to cover much of the north state as the region sees a general decrease in smoke dispersion and transport going into next week.

Follow the links in the following table to view real-time air quality monitoring data for each site.

Site	24-hour Avg PM2.5 (µg/m3)	3-hour Max PM2.5 (μg/mᵌ)	Level of Health Concern	Meaning	Actions to Protect Yourself	Forecast For Friday Sept. 6, 2013
	Yesterday, Sept. 5, 2013
La Grange Mariposa Greeley Hill El Portal Groveland Tuol. Mdws Reno	5 9 6 6 9 9 9	15-10:00 22-11:00 16-11:00 9-14:00 24-11:00 25-23:00 26-09:00	Good	Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk	None	Mariposa La Grange Greeley Hill El Portal Tuol. Mdws Reno
Yosemite Vly S. Lk. Tahoe Columbia Carson City	16 18 13 30	36-23:00 51-00:00 38-11:00 88-00:00	Moderate	Air quality is acceptable for most. There may be moderate health concern for a small number of sensitive people.	Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.	Groveland S. Lk. Tahoe Yosemite Vly. Columbia
Tuol. City	37	156-10:00	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects.  The general public is not likely to be affected.	People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.	Tuol. City Carson City
Bear Valley Markleeville. Pinecrest Minden Drew Mdw ICP	78 73 138 62 96	239-02:00 144-22:00 249-13:00 121-22:00 316-08:00	Unhealthy	Everyone may begin to experience more serious health effects.	The following groups should avoid all physical outdoor activity: People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults.  Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.	Bear Valley Markleeville Minden Pinecrest Drew Mdw ICP

Air Quality Index (AQI) ratings are derived based on the recommendations found in Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials.

For more information visit:

California Smoke Information Blog: http://northcasmoke.blogspot.com/

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District: http://www.valleyair.org/Home.htm

Mariposa County Air Quality: http://www.mariposacounty.org/index.aspx?NID=1356

Tuolumne County APCD:   http://portal.co.tuolumne.ca.us/psp/ps/TUP_AIR_POLL_CONTROL/ENTP/h/?tab=DEFAULT