Sunday, August 31, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Summary for the Klamath Region

Yesterday Winds pushed smoke to the northeast throughout the day causing high levels of smoke throughout the Scott and Shasta Valleys, with some impacts in Macdoel and beyond.  Communities located to the west of the fires such as those in the Trinity River drainage, and lower Klamath River drainage had limited smoke impacts.                                 Today Conditions will be similar to yesterday however, expect more smoke in communities to the west of the fires. Smoke will be pushed to the south in the morning hours and to the southeast by mid-afternoon.  Today is forecast to be warmer and drier which may increase fire activity and result in greater smoke production.                       Tomorrow A mostly northerly flow will push the smoke to the southward and westward.  This will cause the lower Klamath River drainage, Salmon River drainage to see an increase in smoke.  In addition, stable atmospheric conditions will hinder dispersion and smoke will thicker than previous days.  The Shasta Valley should see improvements in air quality due to the shift in wind directions.
Site		August 30 Yesterday’s AQI	August 31 Today’s AQI		September 1 Predicted AQI	Likely Time of Highest Impacts Today
Yreka		Unhealthy	Moderate		Good	Afternoon/Early Evening
Ft. Jones		Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy		Very Unhealthy	Early Afternoon
Etna		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Late Afternoon/Early Evening
Macdoel		Moderate	Moderate		Good	Afternoon
Seiad Valley		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Very Unhealthy	Early Afternoon
Happy Camp		Moderate	Unhealthy		Very Unhealthy	Late Morning
Somes Bar		Good	Moderate		USG	Early Afternoon
Orleans		Moderate	USG		Unhealthy	Late Morning/Early Afternoon
Weitchpec		Good	Moderate		USG	Mid-Morning
Hoopa		Moderate*	Moderate		USG	Afternoon
Willow Creek		Good	Good		Moderate	Late Morning/Early Afternoon
Mt. Shasta		Unhealthy	UGS		Moderate	Afternoon
Weed		USG	Moderate		Moderate	Afternoon
Sawyers Bar		Good	Good		Moderate	Late 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.  *Less than 24 hours of data.
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 (USG)	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.