Monday, August 17, 2015 - Shasta-Trinity/Six Rivers Complexes - Air Quality Report (Short)

Prepared by Chuck Sams, Dan Chan and Mike Broughton

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

Smoke Synopsis:
On Sunday, based on 24-hour averages, Hyampom reported “Hazardous” conditions.  Hayfork reported “Very Unhealthy” conditions.  Burnt Ranch, Mad River/Dinsmore and Weaverville reported “Unhealthy” conditions.  Willow Creek, Hoopa, Orleans, and Etna reported “USG” conditions.  However, for a few hours on Sunday, stations in Trinity County measured very high level (i.e.. over 250 µg/m3) of PM2.5 concentration and this usually happens in early afternoon before daytime mixing occurs.  Air quality is not likely to improve before Wednesday when an upper level trough moves through the area.  Today/Tomorrow:  Smoke dispersion will be limited due to weak transport wind over the area. Smoke will be the worst in early afternoon.  PM2.5 stations in Trinity County may measure very high level of PM2.5 concentration during this time period.  Air quality should improve somewhat after daytime mixing begins.  But, after sunset, air quality will deteriorate until day time mixing begins the following day.  Wednesday:  Transport wind speed will increase slightly on Wednesday, which may help with smoke dispersion.
Air Quality Outlook:  Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers Complexes
Site	Monday August 17, 2015	Tuesday August 18, 2015	Wednesday August 19, 2015	Comments
Crescent City	Moderate	USG	Moderate
Gasquet	Moderate	USG	USG
Happy Camp	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Etna	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Mt. Shasta	Moderate	Good	Moderate
Tulelake	Good	Good	Good
Yreka	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Eureka	Moderate	Unhealthy	Moderate	8/17: Heaviest before midnight 8/18: Heaviest late afternoon
Hoopa	USG	Unhealthy	USG	Worst conditions usually occur early afternoon
Mad River/Dinsmore	Unhealthy	Unhealthy	USG	Worst conditions usually occur early afternoon
Orleans	USG	Unhealthy	USG	Worst conditions usually occur early afternoon
Weitchpec	USG	Unhealthy	USG	Worst conditions usually occur early afternoon
Willow Creek	USG	Unhealthy	USG	Worst conditions usually occur early afternoon
Burnt Ranch	USG	Unhealthy	USG	Worst conditions usually occur early afternoon
Hayfork	Very Unhealthy	Hazardous	Hazardous	Worst conditions usually occur early afternoon
Hyampom	Hazardous	Hazardous	Hazardous	Worst conditions usually occur early afternoon
Weaverville	Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Hazardous
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