Thursday, August 21, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Summary for Klamath Region

Air Quality Summary Report                                                                                        

  Thursday, August 21, 2014

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

Yesterday Northerly afternoon and evening winds combined with dry conditions lead to increased fire activity, particularly on the Frying Pan fire.  Smoke settled and concentrated in Happy Camp and Klamath River Valleys after midday inversion breakup allowed smoke to sink. Scott and Shasta valleys were smoky during the night. Better smoke dispersion began around noon as a result of strengthening northerly winds over the region.  Today Stronger northerly winds and lower humidity will result in continued active burning and smoke production on the Frying Pan, Falkstein, Man, and Whites fires. The potential for significant fire growth exists on the Frying Pan fire.  Early morning air quality is better compared to the last few days although some smoke did settle and concentrate in the Klamath River drainage and Scott Valley late yesterday afternoon.  Better smoke dispersion will begin around noon as northerly winds transport smoke over a wider area.  Models suggest that by early evening, smoke impacts may be seen as far as Redding and Red Bluff. Breezy conditions will maintain this smoke dispersion pattern through the next morning. Tomorrow   Clear skies, continued warming and drying, and stronger winds may lead to more active fire behavior.  Smoke production is likely to increase. Models suggest the potential for valley pooling of smoke may decrease slightly during early morning hours and widespread dispersion of smoke midday through evening will continue similar to today.
Site	August 20 AQI		August 21 Today AQI	August 22 AQI		Highest Impacts Time of Day
Yreka	Good		Good	Good		All Day
Ft. Jones	Moderate		USG	USG		4pm-8pm
Etna	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		12am – 3am
Klamath River	Good		Good	Moderate		12am-5pm
Happy Camp	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	USG		11am-1pm
Somes Bar	Good		Good	Good		All Day
Orleans	Good		Good	Good		All Day
Weitchpec	Good		Good	Good		All Day
Hoopa	Good		Good	Good		All Day
Willow Creek	Good		Good	Good		All Day
Mt. Shasta	Good		Moderate	Moderate		All Day
Weed	Good		Good	Good		All Day
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.