Sunday September 4, 2016 - #Gapfire Smoke Report

Air Quality Report                                                                                                                        Issue Date: 09/04/2016

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 23,896 and 25% contained.  The fire continues to burn actively along Highway 96 and the Klamath River. Lower temperatures and higher humidity kept fire intensity low overnight.  Firefighters continued to hold the fire north of highway 96. The western and eastern flanks of the fire remained relatively quiet and crews continued work to secure the line to at least 200’ from the fire’s edge.   The priority today is to continue to hold the fire north of the Klamath River and continue to mop up and hold existing lines.  On the northern edge of the fire, dozers are completing the construction of lines and firing operations are taking place to reinforce control lines. Low intensity firing operations are planned to continue (as conditions permit).                                          Weather and Smoke Information:   Northwest to north flow aloft will remain over the region through Sunday.  Little change in overall conditions are expected, lower temperatures and higher humidity are expected to continue through Sunday night.  Oak Knolls is expected to see Unhealthy for Sensitive Group (USG) conditions today with possible Unhealthy conditions in the afternoon.  Fort Jones is expected to see Unhealthy conditions.  Yreka is expected to see Moderate conditions with possible USG levels in the daytime.  Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland and Klamath Falls are expected to see Good conditions.  Orleans is expected to see Moderate levels of smoke. Seiad should see Unhealthy conditions with potential Very Unhealthy   levels in the afternoon.
Smoke Impacts from Local Fires
Site		Observed Midnight-Midnight 09/03/16		Forecast 09/04/16	Outlook 09/05/16	Worst Time of Day Impacts AQI and Period
Grants Pass		Good		Good	Good	May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Medford		Good		Good	Good	May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
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		USG		USG	USG	May see Unhealthy levels of smoke in the afternoon.
Seiad		Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	May see Very Unhealthy smoke levels in the afternoon.
Yreka		Good		Moderate	Moderate	May see USG smoke levels in the daytime.
Fort Jones		Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	The worst concentrations may be observed in the late afternoon to early evening.
Orleans		Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	May see USG smoke levels 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/