Air Quality Forecast - Chelan & Methow Valley Fires August 22, 2015

Air Quality Summary Report   -  Chelan and Methow Valley Fires     Saturday, August 22, 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.   Saturday:  Inversions will keep smoke concentrations high in the valleys before lifting late morning.  A stable upper air mass will prevent widespread clearing of the smoke and communities nearest and downwind of the fires will experience persistent smoke throughout the day.  Chelan will see particularly heavy smoke in the morning and towards late afternoon and into the evening.  Manson could see greater smoke impacts than Chelan.  Twisp and Winthrop will see smoke impacts from both the Chelan Complex and Okanogan Complex fires.  As winds shift to the East, Leavenworth and Wenatchee may see some decrease in air quality. Sunday:  Chelan and Manson can both expect to see varying levels of smoke throughout the day with potentially hazardous levels in the evening. Winthrop may have some times of clearing very early in the morning but can expect to see smoke continuing to roll in throughout the day.  Smoke will remain in Twisp throughout the day, becoming worse through late afternoon with air quality reaching hazardous levels for a few hours late evening. Monday: Leavenworth and Wenatchee should see some relief from the smoke clearing out late on Sunday and into Monday. Smoke will remain persistent for Chelan, Winthrop, and Twisp areas but may clear out later in the day and into the evening.
Site	August 22 Air quality -Today		August 23 Air Quality - Sun	August 24 Air Quality - Mon	Comments
Chelan	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Today Manson area may see heavier smoke concentrations in the evening.
Winthrop	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy
Twisp	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Today, periods of very heavy smoke towards the evening.
Leavenworth	Moderate		Moderate	Good
Wenatchee	Moderate		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/