Friday, August 14, 2015 - Shasta-Trinity/Six Rivers Complexes - Air Quality Report (Short)

Prepared by Chuck Sams and Dan Chan

Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke.  Contributions from ozone and other pollutants are not reflected.

Smoke Synopsis:
On Tuesday, based on 24-hour averages, many PM Monitors reported “Good” or “Moderate” air quality in the area.  Weaverville reported “USG” condition.  “Unhealthy” condition was reported at Happy Camp, Yreka, and Etna.  “Very Unhealthy” condition was reported at Hayfork and Hyampon. “Hazardous” condition was reported at Weitchpec. Today/Tomorrow: Day time mixing will not be as good as the previous days due to lower mixing height and slower transport wind speed because of the establishment of high pressure over the area.  Northweterly/Westerly onshore wind will flow all the way into Shasta County in late afternoon today, but it will be weaker tomorrow and only go into Humboldt/Trinity County line.  Strong Northerly wind is forecast to develop tonight at the Sacramento Valley, but this wind is forecast to weaken tomorrow.  Air quality is likely to deteriorate in the area, especially in Trinity County where the fires are.
Air Quality Outlook:  Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes
Site	Friday August 14, 2015	Saturday August 15, 2015	Sunday August 16, 2015	Comments
Crescent City	Good	Moderate	USG
Gasquet	Moderate	USG	Unhealthy
Happy Camp	USG	USG	Unhealthy
Etna	USG	Good	Good	8/14: Very heavy in AM
Mt. Shasta	Moderate	Moderate	Good
Tulelake	Moderate	USG	Moderate
Yreka	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Eureka	Good	Good	Good
Hoopa	Moderate	USG	USG
Mad River/Dinsmore	USG	USG	USG
Orleans	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Weitchpec	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Willow Creek	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Burnt Ranch	Moderate	Moderate	Unhealthy
Hayfork	USG	Unhealthy	Unhealthy	8/14 & 8/15 Heaviest near sundown
Hyampom	Very Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Unhealthy	8/14: Heaviest late afternoon
Weaverville	USG	USG	USG	8/14 & 8/15: Very heavy during AM
Anderson/Redding	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Disclaimer: Forecast conditions represent air quality levels affected by fine particulates; contribution from ozone and other pollutants is not reflected.  Conditions may change quickly, these projections are based on anticipated weather and fire activity.  Sensitive groups including individuals with asthma, lung or heart disease, children, older adults, and pregnant women should take precautions to avoid exposure to smoke.  If you feel as though you are having health effects from smoke, see your doctor or health professional as needed.  In some cases your eyes are your best tools. If it is smoky outside, you are being impacted.  Use caution when driving in or around smoky areas.

AQI Index	Actions to Protect Yourself
Good	None
Moderate	Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups - USG	People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy	The following groups should avoid all physical outdoor activity: People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults.  Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy	Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Hazardous	The following groups should remain indoors and keep activity levels low: People with heart or lung disease; children and older adults. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion

Links:

AirNow - http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=5&tab=0

California Smoke Information Blog - http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/      

North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District http://www.ncuaqmd.org/

Shasta County Air Pollution Control District - http://www.co.shasta.ca.us/index/drm_index/aq_index.aspx

Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District http://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/content/agriculture-air-pollution-control-district

Interagency Real Time Smoke Monitoring - http://app.airsis.com/usfs/fleet.aspx

Wildfire Smoke – A Guide for Public Health Official from California Air Resource Board

Wildland Fire Personnel Smoke Exposure Guidebook from National Interagency Fire Center

Smoke: Knowing the Risks video (14 minutes) from WFStar