Air Quality Forecast - Chelan and Methow Valley Fires August 23, 2015

Air Quality Summary Report   -  Chelan and Methow Valley Fires     Sunday, August 23, 2015

Prepared by: Carolyn Kelly, Air Resource Advisor Trainee (ckelly8384@gmail.com) 

Andrea Holland, Air Resource Advisor (andreahollandsears@gmail.com)

Note: The Manson monitoring site has been inoperative for the last week caused by a malfunction in the instrument.  Please refer to information provided from the Chelan monitor for estimating impacts to Manson.   Sunday: Greater fire activity is expected today.  While late morning will see some lifting of smoke in impacted areas, more smoke is expected to settle into nearby communities. Those closest to the fires such as Chelan, Manson, Twisp, Winthrop and Omak will see air quality reach into very unhealthy levels by the evening and throughout the night.  Omak may see periods of hazardous air quality. Monday:  Chelan and Manson are not likely to see much relief from smoke today. Winthrop and Twisp may see some relief in the morning with a return to unhealthy air levels by the afternoon as fire activity picks up.  Omak will continue to see unhealthy levels of smoke with periods ranging between very unhealthy to hazardous. Tuesday: Leavenworth and Wenatchee should see some relief from the smoke. Smoke will remain persistent for Chelan, Winthrop, Twisp and Omak areas
Site		August 23 Air quality -Sunday	August 24 Air Quality – Mon	August 25 Air Quality - Tues	Comments
Chelan		Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy	Unhealthy	By early evening Sunday Chelan and Manson will see smoke concentrations approaching very unhealthy levels.
		Very Unhealthy
Winthrop		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Unhealthy
Twisp		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Unhealthy	By early evening smoke concentrations will approach very unhealthy levels.
		Very Unhealthy
Omak		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Smoke concentrations become worse from late afternoon through the night.
Leavenworth		Moderate	Moderate	Good	Smoke will settle into the area later in the afternoon bringing air quality into unhealthy levels.
		Unhealthy
Wenatchee		Moderate	Moderate	Good	Smoke will settle into the area later in the evening reaching  air quality levels unhealthy for sensitive individuals.
		USG
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly. These predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity.  The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review. AQI’s estimated for sites with air monitors.
Index Levels of Health Concern	Actions Recommended by WA Department of Ecology to Reduce Smoke Exposure
Good	None
Moderate	People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should limit outdoor activities or do activities that take less effort, such as walking instead of running.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, infants, children, adults older than 65, pregnant women, or who have had a stroke.  These people should limit time spent outdoors.
Unhealthy	Everyone should limit time spent outdoors, avoid exercising outside (including sports teams) and choose non-strenuous indoor activities. Those with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should stay indoors as should iInfants, children, pregnant women and adults over age 65.
Very Unhealthy	Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask. Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.
Hazardous	Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask. Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.

Webcam looking up Lake Chelan  http://www.fsvisimages.com/fstemplate.aspx?site=okwe3_fire1

For more information about smoke in Washington State, visit http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/