California Smoke Information: Monday, September 12, 2016 #Soberanes Fire Air Quality Report #46

Air Quality Report Issue Date: 09/12/2016

Soberanes Fire Time: 0700

Forecast #46 Prepared by: Gary Curcio, ARA

& Kathleen Stewart, ARA (T)

Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke from the Soberanes Fire wildfire and other fires.

Contributions from ozone and other pollutants and other sources are not reflected.


Fire: Soberanes Fire produced less smoke yesterday than was projected. The burnout operation was successful and will continue towards Rodeo Flat provided conditions permit. Fire runs occurred and will do so again. Current fire size is 105,705 acres & yesterday’s growth 1,858 acres. Air Quality Today: Wind speeds are expected to be higher, temperatures cooler and the air more stable. These parameters are offsetting influences and fire growth is expected to be the same today. Smoke impacts are projected to be less. Increased winds speeds and direction (NW or W/SW) will be effective in dispersing smoke & keeping it away from most communities. The exceptions are Tassajara, Big Sur, Lockwood and King City. Salinas Valley & Carmel Valley communities can expect good air quality. Air Quality Tomorrow: Decreasing winds Tuesday into Wednesday and shifting wind direction will affect more communities as the smoke plume is more widespread. Communities to the north of the fire can expect some periodic degradation of air quality.

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) Impacts from the Soberanes Fire (midnight to midnight)
Site*	Yesterday Observed 24-Hr AQI September 11, 2016	Today’s Forecast 24-Hr AQI September 12, 2016	Tomorrow Outlook 24-Hr AQI September 13, 2016	Best Time of Day September 12 24–Hr AQI
Carmel River School	Good	Good	Good	Good conditions today
Carmel Valley	Good	Good	Good	Good conditions today
Toro Park	Good	Good	Good	Good conditions today
Cachagua	Good	Good	Good	Good conditions today
Big Sur	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Better in the afternoon
Tassajara Hot Springs	Moderate	USG	USG	Early morning hours
Lockwood	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Mid-day
Salinas	Good	Good	Good	Good conditions today
Gonzales	Good	Good	Good	Good conditions today
Soledad	No Data	Good	Good	Good conditions today
Greenfield	Good	Good	Moderate	Good conditions today
King City	Good	Moderate	Moderate	Better in early morning hours
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.

* Due to changes in fire and smoke patterns, smoke impacts at some monitoring stations have been relatively minimal.

Because of these trends, the following stations have been removed from this forecast: Santa Cruz, Gilroy, Hollister,

Pacific Grove, and Seaside monitoring stations. Pacific Grove and Seaside have been experiencing moderate particle

pollution, but not due to the Soberanes Fire.

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