Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes - Air Quality Report (Short)

Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes - Air Quality Report (Short)

Prepared by Chuck Sams, Erin Law & 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.  Happy Camp reported “USG” condition.  Hayfork, Hyampon, and Weaverville reported “Unhealthy” condition.  This is a considerable improvement from a few days ago when “Hazardous” condition was reported at Hayfork.  Today/Tomorrow:  Westerly onshore flow will meet Southerly Valley wind from Sacramento Valley in Central/Eastern Trinity County.  Good mixing height and strong Southerly transport wind is expected for today and tomorrow.  So, smoke from fires in Trinity County is likely to be lifted and transported to the North.  The improved air quality in the area is likely to continue today and tomorrow.  Over nights, smoke will settle into the South Fork Trinity River drainage and Trinity River drainage.  Anderson may receive some smoke from the Rocky and Jerusalem fires in east of Clear Lake, CA, about 50 miles NW of Sacramento, CA. Friday:  Wind will become weak for the area as a high pressure is being established.  The atmosphere will become more stable and thus, day time mixing will be substantially weaker.
Air Quality Outlook:  Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes
Site	Wednesday August 12, 2015	Thursday August 13, 2015	Friday August 14, 2015	Comments
Crescent City	Moderate	Good	Good
Gasquet	Moderate	Good	Good
Happy Camp	USG	USG	Moderate
Etna	Moderate	USG	Moderate-AM	8/12: Short impacts late AM: 8/13 Heaviest before sundown.
Mt. Shasta	Moderate	USG	Moderate-AM	8/13:  Heaviest before sundown.
Tulelake	Good	Good	Good-AM
Yreka	Good	Moderate	Moderate-AM
Eureka	Good	Good	Good
Hoopa	Good	Good	Moderate
Mad River/Dinsmore	Moderate	USG	Unhealthy
Orleans	Good	Moderate	Moderate
Weitchpec	Good	Good	Moderate
Willow Creek	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Hayfork	Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	Unhealthy-AM	8/12:  Heaviest near sundown.  8/13: Heaviest late afternoon
Hyampom	Hazardous	Very Unhealthy	Unhealthy-AM	8/12 & 8/13 Heaviest late afternoon
Weaverville	Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	8/12 Much lighter during daylight hours.  8/13 Much lighter during late afternoon
Anderson/Redding	Moderate	USG	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