Monday, September 15th, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Summary for the Klamath Region

Air Quality Summary   PDF available here                                                              

Monday, September 15, 2014

Prepared by: Dan Chan (GA-GFC) and Ryan Bauer (USDA-FS)

Yesterday Yreka, Fort Jones, Etna, Macdoel, Seiad Valley and Happy Camp had “Moderate” levels of smoke yesterday.  This was mostly due to the Southwesterly transport wind that brought smoke from the fire to these communities. Smoke production from the fires was lower than many past days so, impacts were lighter as well. Today Smoke lingering in valley bottoms will be dispersed as inversion is lifted in late morning.  With an expected strong southerly wind today, smoke will continued be pushed to the north of the fire.  So, communities in the north of the fire in Upper Klamath River Valley are likely to experience elevated smoke concentration.  By evening smoke is likely to return to the upper Shasta Valley and Scott Valley, in addition to Upper Klamath River valley. Tomorrow Southerly wind is forecast for the day.  Smoke will continue to be pushed north. Smoke concentrations are likely to remain high in the upper Klamath River drainage north of the fires. Smoke is likely to return to upper Shasta and Scott valley in the late afternoon and evening. As daytime winds subside smoke may again settle down the Wooley Creek drainage toward Somes Bar and Orleans during the night.
Site	September 14 Yesterday’s AQI	September 15 Today’s AQI	September 16 Predicted AQI	Likely Time of Highest Impacts Today
Yreka	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Afternoon/Early Evening
Fort Jones	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Afternoon/Early Evening
Etna	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Evening
Macdoel	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Late Afternoon/ Evening
Seiad Valley	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Early Afternoon
Happy Camp	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Early Afternoon
Somes Bar	Good	Good	Moderate	Afternoon
Orleans	Good	Good	Good	Afternoon
Wietchpec	Good	Good	Good	Afternoon
Hoopa	Good	Good	Good	Late Afternoon/Evening
Willow Creek	Good	Good	Good	Evening
Mt. Shata	Good	Good	Good	Evening
Weed	Good	Good	Good	Evening
Sawyer's Bar	Good	Good	Good	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.