Wednesday, September 17, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Summary for the Klamath Region

Air Quality Summary                                                              

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

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

Yesterday Only Fort Jones had “Moderate” level of smoke yesterday.  All other monitors in the area measured “Good” air quality.  South winds continued through the day, weakening in the afternoon. By evening smoke settled into the Scott and Shasta Valleys.     Today Smoke lingering in the valley bottom will be dispersed as the inversion is lifted in late morning.  With an expected strong southerly/southwesterly wind today, smoke will continued be pushed to the north of the fire.  Smoke dispersion will be reduced today due to cloud cover in the area.  So, communities in the north of the fire in Upper Klamath River Valley and Scott 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 Weather models are predicting rain by late afternoon tomorrow.  So, smoke dispersion is likely to be reduced and smoke may linger around the valley bottoms.  However, if rain did come, it will help to scour some of the smoke from the air and should reduce smoke production on the fires. By tomorrow night winds begin shifting to a northeasterly flow shifting potential impacts back to the lower Klamath River communities for the end of the week.
Site	September 16 Yesterday’s AQI	September 17 Today’s AQI	September 18 Predicted AQI	Likely Time of Highest Impacts Today
Yreka	Good	Moderate	Moderate	Afternoon/Early Evening
Fort Jones	Moderate	Unhealthy for sensitive groups	Moderate	Afternoon/Early Evening
Etna	Good	Moderate	Moderate	Evening
Macdoel	Good	Moderate	Moderate	Late Afternoon/ Evening
Seiad Valley	Good	Moderate	Moderate	Early Afternoon
Happy Camp	Good	Moderate	Moderate	Early Afternoon
Somes Bar	Good	Good	Good	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	NA	Good	Good	Evening
Weed	NA	Moderate	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.