Thursday, September 18th, 2014 Wildfire Air Quality Summary for the Klamath Region

Air Quality Summary                                                              

Thursday, September 18, 2014

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

Yesterday Fort Jones had “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” and Etna had “Moderate” levels of smoke yesterday.  All other monitors in the area measured “Good” air quality.  Cloudy condition with south winds brought elevated smoke concentration to Scott Valley yesterday.  Rain up to 0.10inch was measured around the fire. The monitor in Weed resumed function and measured readings in the Moderate range during the afternoon, which improved to the good range by evening.      Today Incident Meteorologist forecasts an 80% chance of rain at the fire.   Increased moisture will reduce fire behavior and smoke production from the fires, and rain will help scour some of the smoke from the air. Weather models showed southerly wind today and then turned southwesterly in late afternoon.  So, communities in the north of the fire in the Upper Klamath River Valley and Scott Valley are likely to experience elevated smoke concentration.  By evening, smoke is likely to return to the upper Shasta Valley and Scott Valley, in addition to Upper Klamath River valley. Air quality in Weed should continue to improve as aggressive mop-up continues although blowing ash and dust may still be present. Tomorrow Northeasterly winds are expected tomorrow.  This will increase the potential of smoke impacts to communities along the lower Klamath River especially after night fall when smoke settles in the drainages.
Site	September 17 Yesterday’s AQI	September 18 Today’s AQI	September 19 Predicted AQI	Likely Time of Highest Impacts Today
Yreka	Good	Good	Good	Afternoon/Early Evening
Fort Jones	USG	Moderate	Good	Afternoon/Early Evening
Etna	Moderate	Good	Good	Evening
Seiad Valley	Good	Moderate	Moderate	Early Afternoon
Happy Camp	Good	Moderate	Moderate	Early Afternoon
Somes Bar*	NA	Good	Moderate	Afternoon
Orleans*	NA	Good	Moderate	Afternoon
Wietchpec*	NA	Good	Good	Afternoon
Hoopa	Good	Good	Good	Late Afternoon/Evening
Willow Creek*	NA	Good	Good	Evening
Weed*	NA	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.