Sunday, August 16, 2105 - Shasta-Trinity/Six River Complexes - Air Quality Report (Short)

Prepared by Chuck Sams and Dan Chan

Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke.  Contributions from ozone and other pollutants are not reflected.

Smoke Synopsis:
On Saturday, based on 24-hour averages, air quality in the area deteriorated.  Hyampom, and Hayfork reported “Hazardous” conditions.  Weaverville reported “Very Unhealthy” conditions.  Burnt Ranch and Mad River/Dinsmore reported “Unhealthy” conditions.  Weitchpec reported “USG” conditions.  Air quality is not likely to improve for the next few days as a high pressure is over the area with weak transport wind speed.  Today:  Smoke dispersion will be limited due to weak Northwest transport wind over the area.  North/Northeasterly wind is expected in Del Norte County, Siskiyou County and Shasta County.  Northwesterly/Westerly onshore wind is expected in Humboldt and Trinity County.  At night, North weak is expected in Sacramento Valley, but weak in Trinity County.  So, smoke will settle in Trinity River drainage, South Fork Trinity River drainage, Klamath River drainage and the Sacramento Valley tonight.  PM Monitors in Trinity County such as Hayfork and Hyampom may measure over 750 µg/m3 for a few hours.  Tomorrow:  Smoke dispersion will be limited due to slow transport wind over the area.  Weak Northwesterly/Westerly onshore wind is expected to go into Central Trinity County only.  With weak wind overnight, smoke will settle in Trinity River drainage, South Fork Trinity River drainage, Klamath River drainage and the Sacramento Valley again tomorrow night.  PM Monitors in Trinity County such as Hayfork and Hyampom may measure over 750 µg/m3 for a few hours.
Air Quality Outlook:  Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes
Site	Sunday August 16, 2015	Monday August 17, 2015	Tuesday August 18, 2015	Comments
Crescent City	Moderate	USG	USG
Gasquet	Moderate	USG	USG
Happy Camp	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Etna	Good	Moderate	Good
Mt. Shasta	Good	Good	Good
Tulelake	Good	Good	Good	8/17: Heaviest around noon
Yreka	Moderate	Moderate	Good
Eureka	Good	Moderate	Moderate	8/17: Heaviest after sunrise
Hoopa	Moderate	USG	USG
Mad River/Dinsmore	Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy
Orleans	USG	USG	Unhealthy
Weitchpec	USG	USG	Unhealthy
Willow Creek	Moderate	USG	USG
Burnt Ranch	Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy
Hayfork	Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	Hazardous
Hyampom	Hazardous	Hazardous	Hazardous
Weaverville	Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Moderate
Anderson/Redding	Moderate	Moderate	Good
Disclaimer: Forecast conditions represent air quality levels affected by fine particulates; contribution from ozone and other pollutants is not reflected.  Conditions may change quickly, these projections are based on anticipated weather and fire activity.  Sensitive groups including individuals with asthma, lung or heart disease, children, older adults, and pregnant women should take precautions to avoid exposure to smoke.  If you feel as though you are having health effects from smoke, see your doctor or health professional as needed.  In some cases your eyes are your best tools. If it is smoky outside, you are being impacted.  Use caution when driving in or around smoky areas.

AQI Index	Actions to Protect Yourself
Good	None
Moderate	Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups - USG	People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy	The following groups should avoid all physical outdoor activity: People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults.  Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy	Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Hazardous	The following groups should remain indoors and keep activity levels low: People with heart or lung disease; children and older adults. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion

Links:

AirNow - http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=5&tab=0

California Smoke Information Blog - http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/      

North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District http://www.ncuaqmd.org/

Shasta County Air Pollution Control District - http://www.co.shasta.ca.us/index/drm_index/aq_index.aspx

Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District http://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/content/agriculture-air-pollution-control-district

Interagency Real Time Smoke Monitoring - http://app.airsis.com/usfs/fleet.aspx

Wildfire Smoke – A Guide for Public Health Official from California Air Resource Board

Wildland Fire Personnel Smoke Exposure Guidebook from National Interagency Fire Center

Smoke: Knowing the Risks video (14 minutes) from WFStar