Friday, August 22, 2014 - Air Quality Report - Klamath Fires

Air Quality Summary Report                                                                                        

Friday, August 22, 2014

Prepared by: Ryan Bauer, Kelly Palmer, and Ron Sherron        

Yesterday Northerly afternoon and evening winds combined with dry conditions lead to increased fire activity, particularly on the Frying Pan fire. Heavy smoke production only lightly affected Happy Camp until up-canyon winds pushed smoke into town after 9am. Scott Valley and Yreka were impacted in the evening as smoke that had been held aloft during the day settled into downwind valleys. Impacts were seen as far south as Redding by this morning. Today Stronger northerly winds and low humidity will result in continued active burning and smoke production on the Frying Pan, Falkstein, Man, and Whites fires. The resulting smoke column may shelter and moderate other fires in the area. Early morning smoke impacts occurred in Scott Valley and Yreka as a result of overnight smoke settling.  Gusty northerly afternoon winds should disperse smoke impacting valleys and drainages. Winds begin to shift from northwesterly to northeasterly this evening, and may create areas of patchy smoke impacts to communities in the Klamath and Trinity River drainages possibly reaching coastal communities by early morning.  Tomorrow   Clear skies, continued warming and drying through the weekend may lead to continued active fire behavior.  Light winds will allow diurnal patterns to dominate and smoke impacts may become increased in valley locations.  Models suggest that as high pressure develops over the area the potential for valley pooling of smoke and stronger inversions will increase during early morning hours.
Site	August 21 AQI		August 22 Today AQI	August 23 AQI		Highest Impacts Time of Day
Yreka	Moderate		Moderate	Good		6pm-Midnight
Ft. Jones	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	USG		5pm-Midnight
Etna	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Moderate		5pm-10pm
Klamath River	Moderate		USG	Moderate		2am-10am
Happy Camp	USG		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		11am-2pm
Somes Bar	Moderate		USG	USG		1pm-5pm
Orleans	Moderate		USG	USG		3pm-4pm
Weitchpec	Good		Good	Good		All Day
Hoopa	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		All Day
Willow Creek	Moderate		USG	USG		2pm-4pm
Mt. Shasta	Moderate		USG	Moderate		4pm-Midnight
Weed	Good		Good	Good		All Day
Sawyers Bar	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Mid-Day
PLEASE NOTE: The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review. AQI’s estimated for sites with air monitors.
Air Quality Index		Potential Health Impacts			Actions to Reduce Smoke Exposure
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 very small number of individuals.			Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should limit time spend outdoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups		Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects.  The general public is not likely to be affected.			Everyone should avoid prolonged exposure to smoke.  Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should minimize exposure by staying inside where air is cleaner.
Unhealthy		Everyone may begin to experience health effects.  These effects may be more serious for sensitive people.			Everyone should limit time spent outdoors and choose non-strenuous indoor activities.  Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should stay indoors where air is clean.
Very Unhealthy		Triggers a health alert meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects			Everyone should limit time spent outdoors and preferably stay indoors where air is clean.   Staying indoors is especially important for sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults.
Hazardous		Triggers health warnings of emergency conditions.  Everyone is very likely to be affected by serious health effects.			Everyone should avoid all outdoor activity.  Relief from smoke is best accomplished by leaving for cleaner air.  Alternately, remain indoors  where air is clean.

For more information visit http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/