Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - Rough Fire - Sierra National Forest - Air Quality Report

Air Quality Report                                                                                            Issue Date: 08/19/2015

Rough Fire – Sierra National Forest                               Prepared by: Rick Graw and Ariane Sarzotti

Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke from the Rough Fire.  Contributions from ozone and other pollutants are not reflected.
Fire:  A significant change occurred yesterday, when the Rough Fire crossed the main fork of the Kings River at the confluence of the middle and south fork, and quickly ran up the north facing slope in the Lockwood Creek drainage.  Crowning and torching were observed.  The fire is now 30,901 acres, after it grew 7,301 acres.   Air Quality Today:  Heavy concentrations of smoke will remain in the western foothills and areas within the Kings River Canyon until midafternoon.   As smoke is lifted it will be transported to the east, degrading air quality in the Owens Valley.   This evening smoke will once again settle into the Kings River Valley, bringing smoke into the San Joaquin Valley overnight.  Air Quality Tomorrow:  A similar pattern to today is expected.
Smoke Impacts from Local Fires
Site	Yesterday Observed Midnight-Midnight 24-Hr AQI August 18, 2015		Today Forecast 24-Hr AQI August 19, 2015	Tomorrow Outlook 24-Hr AQI August 20, 2015	Worst Time of Day Impacts 3-Hour AQI and Period
Trimmer	Moderate		USG	USG	USG, 9 A.M. to Noon
Prather	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Moderate, 9 A.M. to Noon
Shaver Lake			Moderate	Moderate	Moderate, 10 A.M. to Noon
Hume Lake	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy 8 A.M to 3:00 P.M.
Cedar Grove	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy 9 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Devils Post Pile	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Moderate 11 pm to 1:00 A.M.
Mammoth Lakes	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Moderate 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Bishop	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	USG 4:00 P.M to 8 P.M.
Big Pine			Moderate	USG	USG 4:00 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Independence	USG		USG	USG	USG  5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Dunlap	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	USG Midnight to Noon
Pinehurst	Moderate		USG	USG	USG 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.
Three Rivers	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Moderate 11:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.
Ash Mountain	USG		USG	USG	USG 10:00 A.M. to 1: 00 P.M.
Kernville	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	USG 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
Disclaimer:  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

View of the fire:  Buck Rock Web Camera #3, http://rockyags.cr.usgs.gov/dashboards/WebCam.htm

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

San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District - http://www.valleyair.org/aqinfo/forecast.htm

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