Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Tuesday, August 18, 2015 - Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes - Smoke Report (Long)

Tuesday, August 18, 2015                                                                                 Issued on August 18, 2015
Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes                                                                          Mike Broughton & Jen Croft

Smoke Impact Report – Shasta-Trinity/Six Rivers National Forest August 18, 2015.
A)     Fire growth
Complex Names
Fire Growth Yesterday
Total Acre
Fork Complex
 1047 Acres
34,403 Acres
Mad River Complex
2626 Acres
24,831 Acres
River Complex
3704 Acres
43,149 Acres
Route Complex
2626 Acres
31,487 Acres
South Complex
671 Acres
21,629 Acres
Gasquet Complex
 1614 Acres
6,465 Acres
Nickowtiz Fires
447 Acres
3,302 Acres
Total
10,870 Acres
161,194 Acres
Information came from Infrared Flights

B)      Weather
High pressure is continues to dominate Northern California today and tomorrow.  As a result, transport wind speed is very weak.  A weak upper level trough will move through the area Wednesday evening through Friday.  Smoke dispersion may be improved slightly then.    

C)      Fire Behavior
Fire Behavior Analysts at the Complexes are predicting excellent burn conditions as the inversion breaks.  Short range spotting may increase as the weak disturbance allows for column lifting.

D)     Smoke
Combined fire growth in the Tri-County area was the largest to date, contributing to poor air quality conditions across the area.  Consideration for sensitive groups, extended exposure times, and activity levels for those within the hazardous forecast zones should be made.  Smoke dispersion will be limited today, with some relief tomorrow as the weak transport winds approach.  Air quality is not likely to improve until later in the week, especially in the Tri-County area. 


Weak Northwesterly transport wind pushes smoke to the Southeast today and tomorrow (Figures 1,3).  Overnight, smoke is likely to settle down in river drainages, but is pushed slightly to the west (Figures 2,4).  The displayed model runs did not cover fires in Southern Oregon.  With a southerly flow, Crescent City, Gasquet, Happy Camp, Yreka, Etna and Mt. Shasta may be impacted by smoke from these fires that are not included in this particular model run.

Figure 1:  Bluesky run for 6pm on August 18, 2015. 

Figure 2:  Bluesky run for 6am on August 19, 2015




 Figure 3:  Bluesky run for 6pm on August 19, 2015

Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke.  Contributions from ozone and other pollutants are not reflected.
Smoke Synopsis: (revised 1040 am)
Yesterday smoke remained entrenched in most of the deep Humboldt and Trinity County river valleys, conditions which are expected to persist through Wednesday afternoon.  The ridge of high pressure continues to sit over northern California, again limiting smoke dispersion from area fires until late afternoon.  A weak upper-air low pressure trough will begin to affect the area late Wednesday, with a bit more clearing and smoke dispersion through Friday before the high pressure ridge returns for the weekend.

Coastal sections may see a return of a marine layer today and tomorrow, enhanced with the fine smoke particles, but inland valleys are expected to remain choked by residual and newly produced smoke. The northern Sacramento Valley and western Siskiyou County should also begin to see some increased smoke impacts, while smoke aloft will be evident over much of the rest of northern California.

Fire behavior increased a little Monday afternoon in extremely hot and dry conditions, which is also expected to persist the next couple days.

Air Quality Outlook:  Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes
Site
Tuesday
August 18, 2015
Wednesday
August 19, 2015
Thursday
August 20, 2015
Comments
Crescent City
Moderate
Moderate
Good

Gasquet
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Happy Camp
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Moderate

Etna
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Moderate

Mt. Shasta
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Tulelake
Moderate
Moderate
Good

Yreka
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Eureka
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Some inland canyons may see higher concentrations of smoke.
Hoopa
Very Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy

Mad River/Dinsmore
Very Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy

Orleans
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy

Weitchpec
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy

Willow Creek
Hazardous
Hazardous
Very Unhealthy
Worst conditions in the early afternoon, improving towards evening.
Burnt Ranch
Hazardous
Hazardous
Very Unhealthy
Conditions improve mid-afternoon into the evening hours.
Hayfork
Hazardous
Hazardous
Hazardous
Conditions tend to worsen as the morning progresses, then improve throughout the afternoon into early evening.
Hyampom

Hazardous
Hazardous
Hazardous
Worst conditions in the morning, improving by mid-afternoon into the early evening.
Weaverville
Unhealthy
USG
USG
Best in the afternoon.
Anderson/Redding
Moderate
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:
California Smoke Information Blog - http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/     
North Coast Unified AQMD - http://www.ncuaqmd.org/
Wildfire Smoke – A Guide for Public Health Official from California Air Resource Board

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