Air Quality 7 17 2014

Air Quality Advisory Thursday 2 pm

 

Chelan “Good”

Leavenworth “Unhealthy for Sensitive Populations”

Wenatchee “Unhealthy”

 

Smoke expected through the weekend… 

When air quality is in the ”Unhealthy for Sensitive Populations” range the people most impacted are those with underlying conditions like asthma, lung diseases or heart disease, the very young or very old. Limit time outdoors and limit physical exertion to very short periods until air quality improves.  For this group if you are outdoors N95 masks may help.

 

When air quality is in the “Unhealthy” range everyone is at risk of being affected by the smoke. Outdoor physical activities should be cancelled. At this point you should limit exposure to outside air and do not do anything that would increase your breathing rate, people should avoid any exertion.  Use of N95 masks, if you must go outside, can be helpful to reduce your exposure to the pollutants in the smoke.

 

·       In your vehicle use the recycle mode on your interior air system.

·       If possible, go to an area unaffected by the wildfire smoke until the smoke clears, especially if you are having symptoms like headaches, dizziness or nausea or having increased respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath.

·       Keep windows closed.

·       Limit time outdoors.

·       If you are having significant problems talk to your health care provider.

 

 

Smoke

Residents of Kittitas County may notice smoke in the area to the north. The smoke is a result of a large fire in Leavenworth area. To date, there are no impacts from the fire on Kittitas County.



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7/17/2014 Smoke Photo from today looking over the town of Carlton, WA

Looks like air quality is pretty bad in the area around Carlton and the Methow Valley.  Photo from this site:  http://www.fsvisimages.com/fstemplate.aspx?site=pasa1
The monitors in the valley (Winthrop and Twisp) don't reflect high values so perhaps the plume is elevated and not impacting the communities too severely.  Looks pretty bad though!

This is what the view should see (except for the snow):

7/16/2014 Nice, clear satellite image of fires and smoke today

Satellite images are not always this clear and can often be obscured by clouds but the image from today clearly shows smoke from the 3 major fires of concern in the state at this time.  For orientation, Lake Chelan in the big lake running from the NW to SE.

The entire image (big file) can be viewed here:  http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2014_07_16_197&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA1&resolution=250m

Or a smaller version:  http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2014_07_16_197&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA1&resolution=1000m

Or if that's still too big:  http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2014_07_16_197&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA1&resolution=2000m

7/16/2014 New Information Resource from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center

There's a new resource available for learning about what's going on with wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.  The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center has started a blog which can be viewed  at:   http://nwccinfo.blogspot.com/  We'll put a permanent link on the home page of this Smoke blog along the right column and also on the tab labeled "Where's the Fire".

Kittitas County Press Release: Second fire in Kittitas County causes I-90 closure

 

 

Kittitas County Sheriff Public Service Announcement Second fire in Kittitas County causes I-90 closure Kittitas County, WA -07/15/2014 - I-90 is currently closed, East-Bound and West-Bound, between Exit 115 near Kittitas and the Columbia River. Local Fire-Fighters have pulled some of their resources out of Badger Pocket to battle a fire in the median between Kittitas and Vantage. It is unknown at this time how long the freeway will be closed.  Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us ### For more information: Clayton Myers, Undersheriff clay.myers@co.kittitas.wa.us 509-925-8534

 

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Kittitas County Press Release: Range Fire near Badger Pocket

 

 

Kittitas County Sheriff Public Service Announcement Range Fire near Badger Pocket Kittitas County, WA -07/15/2014 - Sheriff's Office requests members of the public avoid the Lower Badger Pocket area in support of the fire fighting efforts. We have a large wild-land fire on the Yakima Firing Center which is moving towards the Badger Pocket area in South-Eastern Kittitas County. Local Fire Fighters are working in the area and are being hindered by unrelated vehicle traffic. The fire has moved within a 1/4 mile of the agricultural and residential areas. We are requesting that all but local Badger Pocket residents refrain from entering the area and that local residents minimize vehicle movement in the area. Our firefighters need to be able to move their apparatus freely to maximize their fire-fighting efforts. On behalf of the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management, we appreciate everyone's cooperation. Additional files: Range Fire.pdf. Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us ### For more information: Clayton Myers, Undersheriff clay.myers@co.kittitas.wa.us 509-933-8202

 

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Notice: All email sent to this address will be received by the Kittitas County
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7/16/2014 New fires leading to new smoke

Some of the lightning strikes from Sunday and Monday are developing into full blown wildfires and air quality is deteriorating in various places around the state.   Fire managers and air quality experts are working to get a good picture of what all is happening and will continue to provide forecasts and updates on this site to help keep citizens informed of air quality conditions and risks.

The seriousness of the situation is reflected by the Governor's declaration of a State of Emergency in 20 Eastern Washington counties.

Air Quality Advisory 7/16/14 11:00 am

Air Quality Advisory Wednesday 11 am

 

Leavenworth “Unhealthy”

Wenatchee “Moderate”

Chelan “Good”

 

When air quality is in the unhealthy range everyone is at risk of being affected by the smoke. Outdoor physical activities should be cancelled. At this point you should limit exposure to outside air and do not do anything that would increase your breathing rate, people should avoid any exertion.

In your vehicle use the recycle mode on your interior air system.  If possible, go to an area unaffected by the wildfire smoke until the smoke clears, especially if you are having symptoms like headaches, dizziness or nausea or having increased respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath.

Keep windows closed. Limit time outdoors. If you are having significant problems talk to your health care provider.

 

When air quality is in the moderate range the people most impacted are those with underlying conditions like asthma, lung diseases or heart disease, the very young or very old. Limit time outdoors and limit physical exertion to very short periods until air quality improves.

Air quality forecast, Tuesday 15 July 2014

Issued by Ranil Dhammapala, Washington State Dept. of Ecology

 

Some localized heavy rain, lightning strikes and new fires were all packaged in with Monday’s weather. As the low pressure system responsible for all that departs the region, it is sucking some smoke from fires in British Columbia over north central and northeastern Washington today. Most but not all of this smoke is expected to stay aloft, partially obscure visibility and cause pretty sunsets.

 

Tuesday (15 July) and Wednesday will be hot through much of eastern Washington. Air quality has stayed between Good to Moderate in most areas. As Janice states below, smoke from the Mills Canyon fire might increase temporarily today. Winds are expected to drive the smoke south and southeast, well into the Columbia Basin. Entiat, Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Yakima and Tri Cities are likely to see some smoke. In addition new fires between Goldendale and Lyle in Klickitat County are likely to blow some smoke into the southern Columbia Basin.

 

On Wednesday and Thursday winds turn westerly so smoke will likely blow across the basin into Idaho. Things cool down a bit by Friday and winds turn southwesterly. While the new fire starts are still being investigated, it is possible that some fires in northern Oregon will begin to impact sections of south central and southeast Washington by Friday.

 

Air quality in eastern Washington through Friday 18 July is likely to vary between Good and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory through Wednesday evening for much of eastern Washington, and a Fire Weather Watch through Thursday evening for the western part of the Columbia Basin. Please check these links for details and necessary precautions.

 

Thanks.

 

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Ranil Dhammapala, PhD.

Atmospheric Scientist

Washington State Department of Ecology

P.O Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600

Tel: 360-407-6807

Fax: 360-407-7534

Email: ranil.dhammapala@ecy.wa.gov

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