Monday, September 21, 2015 - Rough Fire Smoke Report and Forecast

Air Quality Report                                                                                               Issue Date: 09/21/2015

Rough Fire                                                                                                     Prepared by:  Tod Johnson 

Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke from the Rough Fire wildfire.  Contributions from ozone and other pollutants are not reflected.
Fire:  Burnout operations and interior fire spread yesterday increased fire size by 351 acres bringing the current fire area total to 141,950 acres.  Burnout operations to clean up interior unburned islands will continue today to prevent spotting across containment lines.  Fire perimeter containment is listed at 68%. Air Quality Today:  Fire activity and perimeter burn out operations will disperse light to moderate emissions into areas directly South and South West of the fire as conditions hamper smoke dispersal. The foothill communities west of Kings Canyon will experience light to moderate smoke impacts as smoke moves West this afternoon and  into Tuesday morning. Stable air conditions will limit relief from night time settling and pooling.  Better mixing to occur following inversion break around 1100 AM. Some light impacts to the Northern communities of Owens Valley anticipated this afternoon. Air Quality Tomorrow:  Smoke will linger through the morning hours beneath the inversion. Ground impacts to recover following 1100 AM inversion break. Impacts will to be light to moderate in the foothills west of the fire. Heavier impacts to persist for the areas proximal to King’s Canyon.  Improving conditions overall as high pressure exits.
Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) Impacts from the Rough fire
Site	Yesterday Observed Midnight-Midnight 24-Hr AQI September 20, 2015		Today’s Forecast 24-Hr  AQI September 21, 2015	Tomorrow Outlook 24-Hr AQI September 22, 2015	Best Time of Day September 21 AQI and Period
Trimmer	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Best late afternoon into evening
Prather	Moderate		Moderate	Good	Best late afternoon into evening
Shaver Lake	No monitor		Good	Good	Good conditions today
Oakhurst	Good		Good	Good	Good conditions today
Wishon Reservoir	Moderate		Moderate	Good	Best in the late afternoon
Hume Lake	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	USG	Some improvement late afternoon
Cedar Grove	USG		USG	Moderate	Some improvement late afternoon
Grant Grove	USG		USG	Moderate	Some improvement late afternoon
Dunlap/Squaw Val.	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	No significant improvement
Mammoth Lakes	Good		Good	Good	Good conditions today
Aspendell	Good		Good	Good	Best conditions before late afternoon
Bishop	Good		Good	Good	Best conditions before late afternoon
Big Pine	No monitor		Good	Good	Best conditions before late afternoon
Lone Pine	Data		Good	Good	Good conditions today
Pinehurst	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Best in the evening
Montecito Lodge	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Moderate	Best in the evening
Lodgepole	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Best in the afternoon
Three Rivers	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Best in the afternoon
Ash Mountain	Good		Moderate	Good	Best in the afternoon
Kernville	Good		Good	Good	Good conditions today
Disclaimer:  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

View of the fire:  Buck Rock Web Camera #3, http://rockyags.cr.usgs.gov/dashboards/WebCam.htm

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

San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District - http://valleyair.org/wildfires.htm

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

AirNow - http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main