Saturday, August 30, 2014

Saturday, August 30, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Summary for the Klamath Region

Air Quality Summary Report                                                             
Prepared by:  Andrea Nick (USDA-FS) and Willie Begay(USDA-FS)

Yesterday Winds pushed smoke to the northeast throughout the day causing high levels of smoke throughout the Scott and Shasta Valleys, with some impacts in Macdoel and beyond.  Communities located to the west of the fires such as those in the Trinity River drainage, and lower Klamath River drainage had limited smoke impacts. However, Seiad Valley and Happy Camp had an afternoon spike in smoke concentrations greater than the previous day.

Today Smoke will be pushed to the southeast and by mid-afternoon smoke impacts could reach Weaverville and Redding. Today’s conditions will be similar to yesterday.

Tomorrow A shift in wind direction is predicted.   A mostly northerly flow will push the smoke to the southward and westward.  This will cause the lower Klamath River drainage, Salmon River drainage to see an increase in smoke.  Scott Valley will retain smoke but the Shasta Valley should see improvements in air quality.
Site
August 29
Yesterday’s AQI
August 30
Today’s AQI
August 31
Predicted AQI
Likely Time of Highest Impacts Today
Yreka
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Good
Afternoon
Ft. Jones
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Late Morning/Early Afternoon
Etna
Moderate
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Late Morning/Early Afternoon
Macdoel
USG
USG
Moderate
Afternoon
Seiad Valley
USG
USG
Very Unhealthy
Morning
Happy Camp
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
Morning
Somes Bar
Good
Moderate
Very Unhealthy
Mid-Morning
Orleans
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
Mid-Morning
Weitchpec
Good
Good
USG
Mid-Morning
Hoopa
Moderate
Moderate
USG
Afternoon
Willow Creek
Good
Good
Moderate
Afternoon
Mt. Shasta
USG
USG
Good
Late Afternoon
Weed
USG
USG
Good
Late Afternoon
Sawyers Bar
Moderate
Moderate
USG
Afternoon
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 (USG)
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.

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