Wednesday, September 4, 2013

9/4/2013 Rim Fire Air Quality Report

Air Quality Report                                                                 Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Rim Fire, Stanislaus National Forest
Yesterday, September 3, 2013
The Rim Fire grew approximately 1,500 acres, to a total size of 237,341 acres. Burnout operations on the northern and southern portions of the fire continued with success through the night. Southwest transport winds returned smoke to communities northeast of the fire, including Pinecrest, Bear Valley, Markleeville, Minden, Carson City, and the Lake Tahoe Basin. Skies remained clear for the Yosemite Valley, El Portal, and the San Joaquin Valley.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
As expected, a stronger inversion has pushed smoke into communities further downslope of the fire this morning. The heaviest morning smoke impacts are in communities to the northeast and in the immediate fire area such as Pinecrest, Bear Valley, Tuolumne City, Sonora, Columbia, Markleeville, Carson City, and Minden. Morning inversions are stronger today and will take longer to break, but otherwise atmospheric conditions will be very similar to yesterday. All areas should see their best air quality in the afternoon. Daytime transport winds will remain southwesterly, reducing impacts to the Yosemite Valley, El Portal, and the San Joaquin Valley. Nighttime impacts similar to yesterday are likely for Carson City and Minden, continuing into Thursday morning.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Communities within the immediate fire area, and those west of the fire will continue to see smoke from stronger morning inversions. Smoke will likely remain trapped until around noon when inversions finally break. Southwest transport winds and fair dispersion conditions will continue the rest of the day. This should keep air quality in the Yosemite Valley and areas south of the fire in the good to moderate range. Areas north and northeast of the fire, including the Lake Tahoe Basin, and Washoe and Carson valleys will see similar impacts during early morning, clearing in the afternoon, and returning in the nighttime hours.
Long term Outlook
Southwest winds will continue thru Friday, then another period of northwest winds is likely through the weekend and into next week. Smoke production from the Rim fire is still likely by then, so the Yosemite and San Joaquin Valleys could again see air quality impacts this weekend.
Follow the links in the following table to view real-time air quality monitoring data for each site.


Site
24-hour Avg PM2.5
(µg/m3)
3-hour Max PM2.5
(μg/m)
Level of Health Concern


Meaning


Actions to Protect Yourself
Forecast
For Wed.
Sept. 4, 2013
Yesterday, Sept. 3, 2013
La Grange
Mariposa
Columbia
Greeley Hill
El Portal
Yosemite Vly
3
7
8
6
5
12
6-14:00
14-01:00
18-09:00
36-08:00
8-14:00
18-23:00
Good
Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk
None
La Grange
Yosemite Vly.
Reno
Groveland
Tuol. Mdws
S. Lk. Tahoe
17
31
14
23
50-10:00
156-09:00
38-21:00
55-00:00
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.
Columbia
Tuol. City

43

140-09:00

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.
S. Lk. Tahoe
Tuol. City

Bear Valley
Markleeville. Pinecrest
Carson City
Minden
82
122
129
57
105
134-06:00
205-04:00
289-09:00
115-04:00
162-00:00
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.
Bear Valley
Markleeville
Drew Mdw ICP
161
500-07:00
Very Unhealthy
Triggers a health alert, meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects
Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.

Air Quality Index (AQI) ratings are derived based on the recommendations found in Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials.
For more information visit:
California Smoke Information Blog: http://northcasmoke.blogspot.com/
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District: http://www.valleyair.org/Home.htm

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