Air Quality Forecast - Chelan & Methow Valley Fires August 21, 2015

 

Air Quality Summary Report    -  Chelan and Methow Valley Fire           Friday, August 21, 2015

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

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

 

Enjoy the clear air while you have it.   A shift in weather patterns later today will likely result in greater fire activity and bring more smoke into nearby valleys and beyond.              

Friday: A continued increase in fire activity from multiple fires including the Reach, Wolverine, Black Canyon, First Creek, McFarland, & Blankenship fires could create widespread smoky/hazy conditions for most of central Washington again today. Chelan should see smoke throughout the day with heavier amounts in the evening. Wenatchee and Leavenworth can expect to see some clear skies with little or no smoke until the evening. Manson will see light smoke in the morning, heavier smoke after noon, and potentially hazardous levels later in the evening. Methow Valley will see smoke throughout the day with heavier smoke beginning early afternoon and increasing into the night. Saturday: Active fire behavior in the area should have Chelan and Manson seeing smoke throughout the day. Wenatchee and Leavenworth should see light smoke clearing out through the day. Methow Valley will see varying levels of smoke throughout the day as well. Sunday: Chelan, Manson, and Methow Valley should expect to see smoke throughout the day and Wenatchee and Leavenworth should see smoke through the day clearing out later on.
Site	August 21 Today Air Quality			August 22 Saturday Air Quality	August 23 Sunday Air Quality	Comments
Chelan	Good			Hazardous	Unhealthy	As winds shift later in the day on Friday, smoke from the Okanogan Complex will be driven down through the Columbia River Valley.
	Hazardous			Unhealthy
Manson	Moderate			Unhealthy	Unhealthy
	Hazardous
Methow Valley	Moderate			Moderate	Unhealthy
	Unhealthy			Unhealthy
Leavenworth	Good			Moderate	USG
	Moderate			Good
Wenatchee	Good			Moderate	USG
	Moderate			Good
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. Everyone should avoid exercising outdoors (including sports teams) and choose non-strenuous indoor activities. People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should stay indoors. Infants, children, pregnant women and adults over age 65 should also stay indoors.
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/