Friday, September 19th, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Summary for the Klamath Region

Air Quality Summary                                                              

Friday, September 19, 2014

Prepared by: Dan Chan (GA-GFC) and Ryan Bauer (USDA-FS)

Yesterday Fort Jones, Etna and Seiad Valley had “Moderate” level of smoke impact.  Other monitors in the area measured “Good” air quality.  No additional rain was received on the fire.  Smoke impacts in Scott Valley were due to smoke that settled into the area during the previous night and cleared out early in the day. Southwesterly wind brought elevated smoke concentration to the Upper Klamath River Valley during the afternoon.    Today Northeast winds and increasing instability are predicted for today.  This will increase the potential of smoke impacts to communities along the lower Klamath and Trinity Rivers, especially after night fall when smoke settles into the drainages. Fire activity will begin to increase through the day as the northerly winds dry things back out on the fires.  Tomorrow Southerly wind is predicted to return by tomorrow afternoon. Smoke trapped in valleys and drainages south of the fires should clean out by mid-day and remain clear the rest of the day. This will bring elevated smoke concentration back to the Upper Klamath River Valley, Scott River drainage, and Scott Valley by tomorrow afternoon or evening.
Site	September 18 Yesterday’s AQI	September 19 Today’s AQI	September 20 Predicted AQI	Likely Time of Highest Impacts Today
Yreka	Good	Good	Good	Afternoon/Early Evening
Fort Jones	Moderate	Good	Moderate	Afternoon/Early Evening
Etna	Moderate	Good	Moderate	Evening
Seiad Valley	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Early Afternoon
Happy Camp	Good	Good	Moderate	Early Afternoon
Somes Bar	Good	Moderate	Good	Late Evening
Orleans	Good	Moderate	Good	Late Evening
Wietchpec	Good	Moderate	Good	Afternoon
Hoopa	Good	Moderate	Good	Late Afternoon/Evening
Willow Creek	NA	Moderate	Good	Evening
Weed	Good	Good	Good	Evening
Sawyer's Bar	Good	Good	Good	Late Morning
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.