Air Quality Summary Report - Chelan Area Fires - Monday, August 17, 2015

Air Quality Summary Report - Chelan Area Fires

August 17, 2015

prepared by Andrea Holland, Air Resource Advisor, Wolverine Fire

Monday:  Smoke inversions coupled with light, terrain-driven winds may result in unhealthy air quality conditions through late morning in Methow, Manson, Chelan, Leavenworth and Wenatchee. Some clearing will occur in the valleys by late morning/early afternoon. Afternoon northwest winds coupled with greater fire activity are expected to further extend smoke impacts into the Chelan Lake and Columbia River Valley areas as it did on Sunday. Methow may not see much relief from smoke throughout the day. The combined effects of multiple fires in Northeast Washington could create widespread smoky/hazy conditions for most of central Washington today. Tuesday:  Smoke will persist in valley bottoms throughout the day causing unhealthy air quality in the Methow Valley, Manson, Chelan, Leavenworth and Wenatchee.  Chelan will see particularly heavy smoke during this time. Smoke dispersion in late morning/early afternoon will be capped by stable mid-level atmosphere. Added to an expected increase in fire activity during this time, communities near the fires are likely to experience periods of heavy smoke.  Wednesday: Smoke will linger in valley bottoms through morning.  Unstable air will allow smoke to clear in these areas by midafternoon but may also result in greater fire activity and smoke development by late afternoon/early evening affecting Douglas County.
Site	August 17 Air quality -Today		August 18 Air Quality - Tues	August 19 Air Quality - Wed	Comments
Chelan	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	USG	Today, worst air quality in the afternoon, may move to Very Unhealthy range.
Manson	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	USG	Today, worst air quality in the afternoon, may move to Very Unhealthy range.
Methow Valley	Unhealthy		Unhealthy	Unhealthy	Today, worst air quality in the afternoon, may move to Very Unhealthy range particularly around Methow.
Wenatchee	Moderate		USG	Moderate
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/