Friday, September 9, 2016 - #Gapfire Smoke Report

Air Quality Report                                                                                                                        Issue Date: 09/09/2016

Gap Fire – Klamath National Forest                                                      Prepared by: Ariane Sarzotti and Tomas Gonzalez

Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke.  Contributions from ozone and other pollutants are not reflected.
Fire Information:  Fire is approximately 31,664 acres with a growth of 669 acres since yesterday and 85% contained.   This growth is all internal acres with no additional perimeter growth.  Only islands of unburned fuel within the containment lines continue to burn.  On all sides of the fire, crews are working on mop up and patrol of fire lines where safe to do so.  A reduction of smoke is expected as the last of the internal islands of unburned fuel get consumed.                                                                                                                                                         Weather and Smoke Information:   High pressure will lead to the hottest and driest days of the week today and Saturday.   Humidity values will drop into the teens over most of the valley locations.  Offshore flow will bring northeast to east winds overnight and early morning. Ridgetop winds will be east 4-7 miles per hour (mph) with gusts to 12 mph in the morning, then east 3-5 mph in the afternoon.  The North Coast area may see air quality degrade up to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) smoke levels in locations ranging from Klamath, Weitchpec, and Eureka continuing to the south.    Seiad, Fort Jones, Happy Camp, Orleans and Weitchpec are expected to see (USG) conditions today with elevated concentrations in the afternoon to early evening.  Redding/Anderson and Oak Knoll are expected to see Moderate conditions with possible elevated concentrations in the morning for Redding and afternoon/evening for Oak Knoll.  Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, Klamath Falls, Red Bluff, and Weed are expected to see Good conditions.  Yreka are expected to see Good conditions with expected elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) Impacts from the Gap Fire
Site	Observed Midnight-Midnight 09/08/16		Forecast 09/09/16	Outlook 09/10/16	Worst Time of Day Impacts AQI and Period
Grants Pass	Good		Good	Good	May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Medford/ Ashland	Good		Good	Good	May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Klamath Falls	Good		Good	Good	May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Oak Knoll RS	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon and evening.
Seiad	USG		USG	USG	Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
Happy Camp	Unavailable		USG	USG	Expect elevated concentrations in the morning. Smoke monitor was set up yesterday.
Yreka	Good		Good	Good	Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
Fort Jones	Unhealthy		USG	Moderate	Expect elevated concentrations in the late afternoon and evening.
Orleans	Moderate		USG	USG	Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
Weitchpec	Moderate		USG	USG	Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
Weed	Good		Good	Good	May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Redding/Anderson	Moderate		Moderate	Good	Expect elevated concentrations in the morning.
Red Bluff	Good		Good	Good	Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
Colors displayed above correspond roughly with the AQI chart below.  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 Blog - http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/

Oregon Smoke Blog - http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/