Sunday, August 24, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Summary for the Klamath Region

Air Quality Summary Report                                                                                        

  Sunday, August 24, 2014

Prepared by: Kelly Palmer, Ryan Bauer, and Ron Sherron  

Yesterday Sunny with warmer temperatures and dry NE winds throughout most of the day and evening contributed to smoke impacts in Klamath, Salmon, and Trinity River communities, and extended minor impacts to coastal areas including Arcata and Eureka.  Air quality improved in the communities of Yreka, Ft. Jones and Etna in comparison to the previous day.  Nighttime conditions allowed smoke to settle into valley and canyon locations.  Today Sunny with warmer temperatures, falling humidity, and a switch to northwesterly winds in the evening. The potential for active fire behavior exists today. Smoke impacts to Klamath, Salmon, and Trinity River communities may occur in the morning and early afternoon and may lessen into the evening as winds shift to northwesterly.  Morning smoke in coastal areas including Arcata and Eureka should clear by early afternoon.  Smoke is likely to return to Scott and Shasta Valley communities this evening. Nighttime conditions will again allow smoke to settle into valley and canyon locations.  Tomorrow   Gradual warmup will continue with improving smoke dispersion in the afternoon and evening.  Dry conditions persist with northerly winds forecasted through tomorrow and Tuesday.  Continued active fire behavior and smoke production are likely especially on the Happy Camp Complex and Man fires.  Calm nighttime conditions will allow smoke to settle into valley locations.
Site	August 23 AQI		August 24 Today AQI	August 25 AQI		Likely Time of Highest Impacts
Yreka	Good		Good	Good		Night
Ft. Jones	Good		Moderate	Moderate		Evening
Etna	Good		Moderate	Moderate		Evening
Klamath River	Good		Moderate	Good		Late Morning
Happy Camp	USG		USG	USG		Late Morning
Somes Bar	Unhealthy		USG	Moderate		Midday
Orleans	USG		USG	Moderate		Midday
Weitchpec	USG		USG	Moderate		Midday
Hoopa	Moderate		USG	Moderate		Midday
Willow Creek	Moderate		USG	Moderate		Afternoon
Mt. Shasta	Good		Moderate	Moderate		Night
Weed	Good		Moderate	Moderate		Night
Sawyers Bar	Very Unhealthy		Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy		Morning
PLEASE NOTE: The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review. AQI’s estimated for sites with air monitors.
Air Quality Index		Potential Health Impacts			Actions to Reduce Smoke Exposure
Good		Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk			None
Moderate		Air quality is acceptable for most.  There may be moderate health concern for a very small number of individuals.			Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should limit time spend outdoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups		Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects.  The general public is not likely to be affected.			Everyone should avoid prolonged exposure to smoke.  Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should minimize exposure by staying inside where air is cleaner.
Unhealthy		Everyone may begin to experience health effects.  These effects may be more serious for sensitive people.			Everyone should limit time spent outdoors and choose non-strenuous indoor activities.  Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should stay indoors where air is clean.
Very Unhealthy		Triggers a health alert meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects			Everyone should limit time spent outdoors and preferably stay indoors where air is clean.   Staying indoors is especially important for sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults.
Hazardous		Triggers health warnings of emergency conditions.  Everyone is very likely to be affected by serious health effects.			Everyone should avoid all outdoor activity.  Relief from smoke is best accomplished by leaving for cleaner air.  Alternately, remain indoors  where air is clean.