Fish Fire, Sequoia National Forest - Air Quality Report Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Prepared by: Ryan Bauer, USDA-Forest Service
Yesterday, August 27, 2013
The Fish Fire grew by about 140 acres, to a size of 2,055 acres. Due to minimal growth of the fire and fairly widespread evening rain showers little to no air quality impacts were seen in surrounding communities. Air quality readings for fine particulates remained in the good range throughout the day for all areas including Kernville, Springville, Pinehurst, Porterville, Lone Pine, and Bishop.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Smoke in the Kern River Valley and Kennedy Meadow was light this morning due to a weaker inversion and reduced smoke production. Southerly winds should begin to clear smoke from the drainages and valleys by late morning. Fire activity is expected to remain fairly low today although smoke production is likely to be higher than yesterday. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms continues for the fire area today. Air quality in the Owens Valley should not be impacted by smoke from the Fish fire today.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Morning air quality impacts in the Kern River Valley will increase a little, possibly reaching the moderate AQI range. Kennedy Meadow will see light smoke in the morning but air quality should remain in the good range. Springville, Three Rivers, Pinehurst, and Porterville should remain clear through the morning and most of the day; by evening light smoke from the Rim Fire could work its way into the area. Owens Valley communities should not be impacted by smoke from the Fish Fire.
Long-range outlook
The threat of thunderstorms lingers through Saturday before diminishing. Daytime humidity should remain high through the period, limiting fire activity and smoke production. Drier southwest flow returns early next week bringing with it better smoke dispersion and some chance for increased fire activity.
Follow the links in the following table to view real-time air quality monitoring data for each site.
Site
|
24-hour Average PM2.5
(µg/m3)
|
3-hour Max PM2.5
(μg/mᵌ)
|
Level of Health Concern
|
Meaning
|
Actions to Protect Yourself
|
Forecast
For Wed.
Aug. 28, 2013
|
Bishop
Lone Pine
Porterville
Pinehurst
Springville*
Kernville
|
3
4
11
11
12
6
|
5
5
16
15
14
20
|
Good
|
Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk
|
None
| |
Moderate
|
Air quality is acceptable for most. There may be moderate health concern for a small number of sensitive people.
|
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
| ||||
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
|
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
|
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
|
Everyone may begin to experience more serious health effects.
|
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.
|
Air Quality Index (AQI) ratings are derived based on the recommendations found in Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials.
* - Based on limited or incomplete data
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