Saturday, September 10, 2016 - #Gapfire Smoke Report

Air Quality Report                                                                                                                        Issue Date: 09/10/2016

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 32,224 acres with a growth of 560 acres since yesterday and 85% contained.   No additional perimeter fire growth occurred; growth is all interior acres within the control lines.  Islands of unburned fuel within the perimeter will 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 interior islands of unburned fuel get consumed.                                                                                                                                                         Weather and Smoke Information:   High pressure will lead to the hottest and driest day of the week.   Humidity values will drop into the single digits to mid-teens over most of the valley locations.  Ridgetop winds will be northeast to east 3-6 miles per hour (mph) in the morning, then northwest 3-7 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.    Hoopa and Weitchpec are expected to see (USG) conditions today with elevated concentrations in the afternoon to early evening.  Redding/Anderson, Oak Knoll, Seiad, Happy Camp, Fort Jones and Orleans are expected to see Moderate conditions with possible elevated concentrations in the afternoon and evening with the exception of Redding/Anderson and Happy Camp.  They may see elevated concentrations in the morning. Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, Klamath Falls, Red Bluff, Yreka, and Weed are expected to see Good conditions.
		Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) Impacts from the Gap Fire
		Site	Observed Midnight-Midnight 09/09/16		Forecast 09/10/16	Outlook 09/11/16		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	Good		Moderate	Moderate		Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon and evening.
		Seiad	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
		Happy Camp	Good		Moderate	Moderate		Expect elevated concentrations in the morning.
		Yreka	Good		Good	Good		Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
		Fort Jones	Good		Moderate	USG		Expect elevated concentrations in the late afternoon and evening.
		Orleans	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
		Weitchpec	Moderate		USG	USG		Expect elevated concentrations in the afternoon.
		Hoopa	Good		USG	USG
		Weed	Good		Good	Good		May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
		Redding/Anderson	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		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/