Monday, August 18, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Update for Klamath Region

Air Quality Summary Report                                                                                          

Monday, August 18, 2014

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

Yesterday Moderate fire activity occurred again yesterday on the July and Happy Camp Complex fires. Smoke impacts increased some in communities in Scott Valley and the Klamath River drainage.    Today A Red Flag Warning has been issued for thunderstorms with abundant lightning and strong outflow winds over the Klamath region today. The atmospheric instability responsible for the thunderstorm development will also promote better smoke dispersion today but, strong outflow winds and abundant lightning are likely to increase fire activity and smoke production across the region as well. General winds should be out of the north, again pushing smoke into areas south of the fires in Scott Valley and the Klamath and Trinity river drainages. Impacts are likely to be about the same intensity as yesterday for most communities but, smoke could travel further south and west than previous days bringing mild impacts to Willow Creek and some north coast communities. At night smoke will again settle into valleys and drainages. Tomorrow Thunderstorms are forecast to continue but be more isolated than today. Temperature and humidity will remain about the same as well, resulting in similar fire conditions. Smoke impacts to communities should be similar to what we see  today.
Site	August 17 AQI		August 18 Today AQI	August 19 AQI		Highest Impacts Time of Day
Yreka	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		8pm
Ft. Jones	USG		USG	USG		Throughout day
Etna	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	USG		7pm – 8pm
Klamath River	USG		USG	USG		11am
Happy Camp	Very Unhealthy		Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy		1pm – 3pm
Somes Bar	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		3pm – 5pm
Orleans	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		2pm – 5pm
Weitchpec	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		2pm – 6pm
Hoopa	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate		2pm – 4pm
Willow Creek	Good		Moderate	Moderate		11am – 1p
Mt. Shasta	Good		Good	Good
Weed	Good		Good	Good
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.