Monday, June 25, 2018 - Lion Fire Southern Sierra

Air Quality Report                                                                              Issue Date: 06/25/2018

Lion Fire – Sierra and Inyo National Forests                                        Prepared by: Tomas Gonzalez

Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke.  Contributions from ozone and other pollutants are not reflected.
Fire Information:   The Lion Point fire continues to burn in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and experienced significant fire growth on 6/23 when strong evening wind caused the fire to grow southward burning about 1000 acres.  On 6/24 the fire again showed signs of significant fire growth with heavy smoke production and grew to roughly 1900 acres.  Fire crews and managers continue to develop plans to manage this fire and keep it from crossing natural barriers while also using minimum impact suppression techniques.   Weather and Smoke Information:   The fire is located in elevation range of 6000-8000 feet.  Fire is most active in the mid to late afternoon causing smoke production to be at its greatest.  Southwest winds are expected to transport smoke to the Northeast until 8:00 PM when the wind is expected to be out of the North-Northeast, transporting the smoke to the Southwest.  Smoke tends settle into the San Joaquin river drainage.  Smoke at the Devils Post Pile Visitor Center reached Very Unhealthy levels between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on 6/24.
Smoke Impacts from Local Fires
Site	Observed Midnight-Midnight June 24, 2018		Forecast June 25, 2018	Outlook June 26, 2018	Worst Time of Day Impacts AQI and Period
Mammoth Lakes	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Late afternoon air quality is expected to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups and Unhealthy in the late evening hours through the  early morning  hours
Devils Post Pile	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy conditions can be expected for Noon to 10 PM
Colors displayed above correspond roughly with the AQI chart below.  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: California Smoke Blog - http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/