Thursday, August 13, 2014 - Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes - Air Quality Report (Short)

Thursday, August 13, 2014 - Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes - Air Quality Report (Short)

Prepared by Chuck Sams, Erin Law and Dan Chan

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

Smoke Synopsis:
On Tuesday, based on 24-hour averages, most PM Monitors reported “Good” or “Moderate” air quality in the area.  Mad River reported “USG”.  Happy Camp reported “Unhealthy”. Hayfork reported “Very Unhealthy”.  Hyampon reported “Hazardous”.  These four stations had a few hours of good air quality yesterday.  Today:  Westerly onshore flow will meet Southerly Valley wind from Sacramento Valley at Trinity/Shasta County line.  Good mixing height and strong Southerly transport wind is expected.  So, smoke from fires in Trinity County is likely to be lifted and transported to the North.  Hyampon, Hay Fork, and Mad River are likely to have a few hours of cleaner air, but overall air quality is likely to be similar to previous days.  Over nights, smoke will settle into the South Fork Trinity River drainage and Trinity River drainage.  Tomorrow/Saturday: Day time mixing will be much poorer due to lower mixing height and transport wind speed due to establishment of high pressure over the area.  Westerly onshore flow will flow all the way into Shasta County during the day, but it will be stronger tomorrow compared to Saturday.  Strong Northerly wind is forecast to develop overnight. Air quality is likely to deteriorate in the area, especially in Trinity County where the fires are.
Air Quality Outlook:  Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes
Site	Thursday August 13, 2015	Friday August 14, 2015	Saturday August 15, 2015	Comments
Crescent City	Good	Good	Moderate
Gasquet	Good	Good	Moderate
Happy Camp	Unhealthy	USG	USG
Etna	Moderate	Good	Good
Mt. Shasta	Moderate	Good	Good
Tulelake	Good	Good	Good
Yreka	Good	Moderate	Good
Eureka	Good	Good	Good
Hoopa	Moderate	Moderate	USG
Mad River/Dinsmore	USG	Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy
Orleans	Moderate	Moderate	Unhealthy
Weitchpec	Moderate	Good	Moderate
Willow Creek	Moderate	USG	Unhealthy
Hayfork	Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Unhealthy-AM
Hyampom	Very Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Unhealthy
Weaverville	USG	USG	Unhealthy
Anderson/Redding	USG	Moderate	Moderate
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