Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Smoke / Air Quality Forecast for Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Smoke Synopsis:
A bit cooler and breezy today in most locations.  Some gusty west to northwest winds 20-30 mph are possible late afternoon in and downstream of aligned canyons.  Some showers and thunderstorms are possible in the northern portion of central Washington.

We appear to have made it through the warmer, dry period this last weekend without generating any significant new fires and the firefighters were ready for Tuesday’s winds, so I would say we’re “out of the woods” – referring to smoke, not Washington’s trees.  This is reflected in the green forecast presented below.

Air Quality Outlook:
Site
Wednesday
August 20, 2014

Thursday
August 21, 2014

Friday
August 22, 2014

Comments
Colville
Good
Good
Good

Wellpinit
Good
Good
Good

Keller
Good
Good
Good

Omak
Good
Good
Good

Malott
Good
Good
Good

Brewster
Good
Good
Good

Winthrop
Good
Good
Good

Twisp
Good
Good
Good

Chelan
Good
Good
Good

Entiat
Good
Good
Good

Plain
Good
Good
Good

Leavenworth
Good
Good
Good

Wenatchee
Good
Good
Good

Ellensburg
Good
Good
Good

Yakima
Good
Good
Good

NOTE – in table above “USG” stands for “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”
For detailed information about the color coded air quality categories, please see:
Warning: These data have been obtained from automated instruments and have not been subjected to a quality assurance review to determine their accuracy. They are presented for public awareness and should not be considered final. Conditions such as power outages and equipment malfunctions can produce invalid data.

1 Since wildfires often occur in remote areas, air monitoring equipment may not be available. The following table provides a quick method to assess air quality in your area. For more detailed information you can go to the following site: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/wildfires/visibility.htm
Using the 5-3-1 Visibility Index
Distance you can see*
Your are:

You have:
·  An adult
·  A teenager
·  An older child
·  Age 65 and over
·  Pregnant
·  A young child
OR
·  Asthma
·  Respiratory illness
·  Lung or heart disease
5 miles
check visibility
minimize outdoor activity
3 miles
minimize outdoor activity
stay inside
1 miles
stay inside
stay inside
No matter how far you can see, if you feel like you are having health effects from smoke exposure, take extra care to stay inside or get to an area with better air quality.  You should also see your doctor or other health professional as needed.
* less reliable under high humidity conditions

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