Friday, August 15, 2014

Smoke / Air Quality Summary for Friday, August 15, 2014


Smoke Synopsis:
Once again, most fire areas received between one quarter and one inch of rain yesterday.  This has further reduced fire activity and will continue to allow firefighters to be more aggressive today to strengthen containment lines, although debris flows across roads and slippery slopes are causing safety problems of their own.  High humidity will cause more smoldering, and although not a significant amount of smoke is being generated, it will remain relatively close to the ground and in the valleys.  Winds will continue to be quite light.

Information on new fire starts from the recent lightning may not appear for a few days. Any new fires will affect the smoke forecast.  Smoke will accumulate, flush out and accumulate again in several areas through Saturday, especially morning around Ellensburg, the Methow Valley, and the Hwy 21 corridor near Keller. Smoke from fires outside the state may occasionally impact cities close to state borders to varying extents, especially Saturday and Sunday.

Air Quality Outlook:
Site
Friday
August 15, 2014
Saturday
August 16, 2014

Sunday
August 17, 2014

Comments
Colville
Good
Moderate
Moderate

Wellpinit
Good
Moderate
Moderate

Keller
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
USG
Midnight to 8 am are worst times – pm good
Omak
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Malott
Good
Moderate
Moderate

Brewster
Good
Good
Moderate

Winthrop
Good
Moderate
Moderate

Twisp
Moderate
Moderate
USG

Chelan
Good
Good
Moderate

Entiat
Good
Moderate
USG

Plain
Good
Good
Good

Leavenworth
Good
Moderate
Moderate

Wenatchee
Good
Moderate
Moderate

Ellensburg
USG
USG
USG

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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