Air Quality Report - Chelan Lake & Methow Valley Fires - August 18, 2015

Air Quality Summary Report - Chelan Lake & Methow Valley Fires     Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Prepared by:   Andrea Holland, Incident Air Resource Advisor (andreahollandsears@gmail.com)

Tuesday:  Some clearing of smoke in Chelan, Manson and the Methow Valley will occur through the morning with lifting of the inversion.  Smoke from the afternoon’s increased fire activity will return by late afternoon and remain throughout the night in these communities.  Smoke will clear in the Wenatchee and Leavenworth areas drifting back in overnight from afternoon fire activity. Wednesday:  Smoke will linger in valley bottoms through morning. Smoke will clear with a lift in the inversion in Chelan and Manson by midafternoon but may also result in greater fire activity and smoke development by late afternoon/early evening returning these areas to unhealthy conditions.  The Methow Valley will gradual improvement in air quality throughout the day as winds clear smoke from the area. Thursday: Gusty northwest winds will favor smoke clearing from affected communities near the fires.
Site	August 18 Air quality -Today		August 19 Air Quality - Wed	August 20 Air Quality - Thurs	Comments
Chelan	USG		USG	Good	Some clearing of smoke in morning. Heavier smoke will return early evening.
	Unhealthy		Unhealthy
Manson	USG		Unhealthy	Good	Some clearing of smoke in morning. Heavier smoke will return early evening.
	Unhealthy
Methow Valley	Good		USG	Good	Greater wind activity in late evening/overnight should improve air quality in this area.
	Unhealthy
Wenatchee	Good		Moderate	Good	Most of Tuesday should see good air quality
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/