10-15-2012 Smoke Blog Now Deactivated

Due to lessening wildfire risk and much improved air quality, this Washington Smoke Information Blog has been deactivated.  It will be available again next fire season if needed.  The best place to learn about current air quality conditions in Washington is from the Department of Ecology at this site: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

This blog site was created in September 2012 to rapidly provide air quality and health information in response to public concerns from wildfire smoke.  The goal was to provide coordinated, timely and public “one-stop information” so that individuals could make informed decisions to protect their health.  During a wildfire smoke incident, this blog will be used to provide links to critical information that the public may be concerned about, such as air quality conditions and forecasts, school and activity closures, burn bans, location of clean air shelters, and travel restrictions due to visibility. Information posted on the blog is coordinated by an informal team of state, federal, tribal and local agencies striving to provide consistent and accurate information during air quality smoke incidents from wildfires.

The links on this blog that connect to the various agencies that provide information on smoke, wildfire and health management will continue to work.

We would like to hear from you if you have questions or comments.  Please contact Janice Peterson at jlpeterson@ fs.fed.us

Thank you for your interest.

10-12-2012 1645 Governor Lifts Burn Ban for Western WA

Gov. Gregoire to lift burn ban for Western Washington

OLYMPIA – Due to today’s rainfall and additional rain in the forecast, Gov. Chris Gregoire this afternoon modified a statewide burn ban to lift the ban for counties in Western Washington starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13th. For all counties east of the Cascades, an emergency proclamation declaring a State of Emergency and banning all outdoor burning will remain in effect through midnight Monday, Oct. 15th.

“Today’s rain is a welcome change,” Gregoire said. “The new weather pattern now covering parts of our state eliminates the need to continue the burn ban in Western Washington. With that said, now is not the time to let down our guard. I urge all Washingtonians to continue to take extra caution to prevent additional human-caused fires. And given the on-going dry conditions east of the Cascades, it makes sense to continue to ban all outdoor burning in Eastern Washington. We must continue to take every step possible to ensure firefighters on the ground can continue to focus on the challenges at hand.”

Gregoire made her decision after consulting with Department of Natural Resources Director Peter Goldmark and Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste.

The burn ban still in place for Eastern Washington prohibits all outdoor burning, including but not limited to:

•           Campfires

•           Bonfires

•           Residential yard debris clean-up, trash disposal, land clearing, weed abatement and agricultural burning activity

•           Ignition of fireworks. 

Liquid fueled or gas-fueled stoves are permitted provided that use is conducted over a non-flammable surface and is at least five feet from flammable vegetation. Charcoal grills are permitted at private residences under the same conditions.

Meanwhile, air quality is still a concern in Eastern Washington. According to the state’s Department of Ecology, Trout Lake was experiencing “hazardous” air quality during the morning hours today, mostly due to strong smoke impacts from nearby wildfires. Monitors showed the air in Cashmere, Entiat, Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Toppenish, Rosalia, Pullman, and Maple Falls was “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Ecology is monitoring air quality across Washington state where smoke-filled air remains.

To check for air quality monitoring information, visit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/air_monitoring_data/WAQA_Intro_Page.html

Meanwhile, the Washington State Department of Health is providing answers to frequently asked questions about wildfire smoke here: http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/OutdoorAir/SmokeFromFires.aspx

 

 

Air quality and smoke forecast on Friday 10/12/2012 at 8AM PDT

Central Washington Air Quality Report from US Forest Service Temporary Monitors

Cashmere- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Cle Elum- Good
Entiat- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Pateros -Good
Quincy - Good
Trout Lake- Hazardous

For statewide monitoring information, please see https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa

Smoke dispersion forecast

Light rain has already begun falling in western WA this morning and winds are slowly picking up. Not much rain resulting from this front in eastern WA, but winds will pick up and help with smoke dispersion, starting  this afternoon. The uptick in winds will precede any precipitation, so it is likely that there will be areas of windblown dust around the Columbia Basin today. Some patchy, light rain is possible in eastern WA on Saturday with more rain Sunday through Monday. We can expect a trend toward improving air quality from today through Monday, just about everywhere in Washington State. Models suggest that the Lewis-Clark valley might be the last to clear out, as winds may not immediately penetrate down into the valley.

Though rains wont entirely extinguish wildfires in eastern WA or central ID, the threat of persistent smoke will abate for the next several days.

While firefighters are close to containing some of the large wildfires, bear in mind that containment does not imply the absence of smoke. Wildfires can continue to produce low-buoyancy smoldering plumes for weeks. These can easily remain trapped close to the ground and impact nearby communities. Wildfires in central Idaho have been pouring smoke into area valleys for weeks. Easterly winds - though not expected in the immediate future - could transport this smoke into the Palouse and Lewis-Clark valley, as they did yesterday.

This is the last planned wildfire smoke forecast for now. However we are closely monitoring conditions associated with smoke dispersion, be it from wildfires, agricultural/ outdoor burning, or woodstove use. If any significant air quality impacts are expected, they will be addressed through the usual channels and mechanisms.

Questions? Please contact:

Ranil Dhammapala
Washington State Department of Ecology
Tel: 360-407-6807
Email: ranil.dhammapala@ecy.wa.gov

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The National Weather Service's Air Quality Alert for Douglas, Chelan and Kittitas Counties expires at noon today:
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=otx&wwa=air%20quality%20alert

The Governor's burn has covering all Washington Counties expires at midnight Monday October 15th. The Governor's proclamation (http://www.governor.wa.gov/proclamations/pr_12-17.pdf) allows for local fire departments to issue written permits that approve specific burning activities.  Please work with your local fire jurisdiction and your Ecology burn team staff to get the needed written authorization for specific agricultural burns. In some areas, air quality concerns or local fire danger may preclude burning during this extraordinary wildfire event.

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Air quality on Thursday 10/11/2012 at 7AM PDT

Central Washington Air Quality Report from US Forest Service Temporary Monitors
Cashmere- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Cle Elum- Good
Entiat- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Pateros -Good
Quincy - Good
Trout Lake- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

For statewide monitoring information, please check https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa
Another very useful webpage for hourly and 24 hour data is http://airgraphing.pscleanair.org

No major changes to the smoke dispersion forecast issued yesterday. Next update on Friday morning.

Questions? Please contact:

Ranil Dhammapala
Washington State Department of Ecology
Tel: 360-407-6807
Email: ranil.dhammapala@ecy.wa.gov

Current conditions and smoke dispersion forecast for Wednesday 10/10/2012

Issued by:
Ranil Dhammapala
Washington State Department of Ecology
Tel: 360-407-6807
Email: ranil.dhammapala@ecy.wa.gov

Central Washington Air Quality Report from US Forest Service Temporary Monitors
Cashmere- Unhealthy for sensitive Groups.
Cle Elum- Good
Entiat- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Pateros -Good
Quincy - Good
Trout Lake- Unhealthy

For statewide monitoring information, please check https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/
Another very useful webpage for hourly and 24 hour data is http://airgraphing.pscleanair.org/

Forecast
Trout Lake is recording Unhealthy air this morning, and there is more orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) in Western WA than in eastern WA: Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Cashmere, Entiat and Clarkston in eastern WA, as opposed to 7 sites west of the Cascades. Data from the Maple Falls site (currently Very Unhealthy) are suspect. Remaining sites both east and west of the Cascades are about evenly split between Good and Moderate air quality. Light to moderate winds throughout much of eastern WA last afternoon helped reduce the fine particle levels. In Western WA, winds weakened during the day and night and allowed woodsmoke to accumulate in several areas.

Calm conditions are expected in most of the state today, although areas near the Cascade gaps and the Okanogan river valley might see moderate winds, before they die down overnight. This will help with smoke dispersion, but will also push some smoke into the Basin. There will be areas of eastern WA where dispersion remains less-than-optimal through Friday evening, so expect air quality to be a mixture of Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Areas closest to wildfires are likely to see air that is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or Unhealthy.

Changes occur on Friday evening onward, when winds pick up as a warm front approaches. Eastern WA may not get much precipitation with this system, but it will certainly assist dispersion. Several other weather systems are also likely over the weekend, and this is good news for smoke impacted communities. It is fair to expect improving air quality as the weekend progresses. The exact location(s) and timing of precipitation however is uncertain at this point.

Unless there are significant changes to the forecast, another update will be issued on Friday morning.

The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert for Douglas, Chelan and Kittitas Counties through noon Friday:
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=otx&wwa=air%20quality%20alert

The burn ban has been extended to cover all Washington Counties, and runs through midnight Monday October 15th. The Governor's proclamation (http://www.governor.wa.gov/proclamations/pr_12-17.pdf) allows for local fire departments to issue written permits that approve specific burning activities. Please work with your local fire jurisdiction and your Ecology burn team staff to get the needed written authorization for specific agricultural burns. In some areas, air quality concerns or local fire danger may preclude burning during this extraordinary wildfire event.

Tuesday 10/9: No major changes to yesterday's smoke forecast

No major changes to yesterday's smoke dispersion forecast. Another update will be issued on Wednesday morning.

Questions about the forecast? Please contact:

Ranil Dhammapala
Washington State Department of Ecology
Tel: 360-407-6807
Email: ranil.dhammapala@ecy.wa.gov

10/09/12 Air Monitor 0800 PDT update

10-09-12 Air Monitor Update 0800 PDT

Central Washington Air Quality Report from Forest Service Temporary Monitor Locations Cashmere-  Unhealthy Cle Elum- Good Entiat- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Pateros -Good Quincy - Moderate Trout Lake- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

If you need monitoring information, please check this webpage: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

Another very useful webpage for a grab hourly and 24 hour data, Puget Sound Clean Air and their air quality tool: http://airgraphing.pscleanair.org/

Governor Gregoire’s emergency proclamation and statewide burn ban http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1980&newsType=1

10/08/2012 Computer modeling shows wetter weather may help clear smoke next weekend

Washington Department of Ecology news

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Oct. 8, 2012

Computer modeling shows wetter weather may help clear smoke next weekend

SPOKANE- Smoke from wildfires in Washington and Idaho is still affecting residents of Washington in several areas as the state moves into a fifth week of poor air quality.  The Governor’s burn ban has been extended to cover all Washington counties, and now runs through midnight on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012.

Don’t expect the wildfires to be doused with rain this work week. Though firefighters have been making great progress in fighting the fires, they continue to smolder. For several days, however, computer models have been hinting at a change to more typical cooler and wetter October weather, possibly starting this coming weekend.

Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) air quality monitors indicate Wenatchee, Omak, Entiat, Cashmere, Trout Lake and Clarkston are all in the “unhealthy” category this morning, while Leavenworth, Ellensburg, Chelan and Pullman are recording “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Other monitors statewide are almost evenly split between “good” and “moderate” air quality. Most of Spokane is reading “moderate.”

According to Ranil Dhammapala, air quality forecaster for Ecology, Western Washington was spared from most of the wildfire smoke yesterday, while far Eastern Washington felt the effects of some smoke from Idaho wildfires, especially in Clarkston and the Palouse. Eastern Washington should see a short-lived uptick in northerly winds this afternoon that will help disperse the smoke.

In addition, locally generated wood smoke is measurable at many sites across the state.

Easterly winds are gone and unlikely to return this week. Today and Tuesday should see mostly calm-to-mild winds, depending on the local terrain. Areas closest to the fires will see “unhealthy” air. Many parts of the rest of Washington will experience a mixture of “good,” “moderate” and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” conditions, with some daytime clearing.

The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert for Douglas, Chelan and Kittitas counties to run through Friday, Oct. 12, at noon: http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=otx&wwa=air%20quality%20alert

The Governor's proclamation extending the burn ban is at:  http://www.governor.wa.gov/proclamations/pr_12-17.pdf. The ban allows for local fire departments to issue written permits that approve specific burning activities. Please work with your local fire jurisdiction and your Ecology burn team staff to get the needed written authorization for specific agricultural burns. In some areas, air quality concerns or local fire danger may preclude burning during this extraordinary wildfire event.

###

Media Contact: Jani Gilbert, Communications, 509-329-3495; cell, 509-990-9177;

  e-mail jani.gilbert@ecy.wa.gov.

For more information:

 !    Joint blog on wildfire smoke and related information: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com

Check for air quality monitoring information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/air_monitoring_data/WAQA_Intro_Page.html

Washington Department of Health smoke information:  http://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom.aspx

Ecology’s website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov

Ecology’s social media: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/about/newmedia.html

10/08/12 Wildfire Smoke Forecast 0800 PDT Update

Ecology Air Quality Report : We will no longer be wrapping up the current values you can find info about Current Air Quality on our Clickable Map: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/air_monitoring_data/WAQA_Intro_Page.html

Central Washington Air Quality Report from Forest Service Temporary Monitor Locations

  ·         Cashmere-  Unhealthy

  ·         Cle Elum- Moderate

  ·         Entiat- Unhealthy

  ·         Pateros -Good

  ·         Quincy – Good

  ·         Trout Lake- Unhealthy

Air Quality forecast, 8AM Monday 8 October 2012
Issued by Ranil Dhammapala, Washington State Dept. of Ecology

Light winds did not allow for much clearing over the last day. Some modest late morning/ afternoon clearing occurred in many areas, but those gains were either wiped out or not further improved upon overnight. Air quality in Wenatchee, Omak, Entiat, Cashmere, Trout Lake and Clarkston are all Unhealthy this morning, while Leavenworth, Ellensburg, Chelan and Pullman are recording Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Other monitors statewide are almost evenly split between Good and Moderate air.

Wildfire smoke impacts on western WA yesterday were small. Idaho wildfire smoke continued to impact the Palouse and Lewis-Clark valley in moderate amounts. In addition locally generated woodsmoke is measurable at many sites across the state.

Easterly winds are gone and unlikely to return this week. Monday & Tuesday should see mostly calm-to-mild winds driven by local terrain. Areas of eastern WA should see a short-lived uptick in northerly winds this afternoon, that will help with dispersion.

For several days now models have been advertizing a change to more typical October weather (i.e. cooler and wetter), starting around the coming weekend. Don’t expect the wildfires to be doused this work week. Though firefighters have been making great progress, fires continue to smolder in spite of being almost contained.

Areas closest to the fires will see Unhealthy air. It will be a mixture of Good, Moderate and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in other areas, with nighttime and morning smoke and some daytime clearing.

The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert for Douglas, Chelan and Kittitas Counties:
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=otx&wwa=air%20quality%20alert

The Governor's office has extended the burn ban to cover all Washington Counties through midnight Monday October 15th. The Governor’s proclamation (http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=1980&newsType=1 ) allows for local fire departments to issue written permits that approve specific burning activities.  Please work with your local fire jurisdiction and your Ecology burn team staff to get the needed written authorization for specific agricultural burns. In some areas, air quality concerns or local fire danger may preclude burning during this extraordinary wildfire event.

Thanks

10-07-12 1320 Governor extends E Washington burn ban

For Release: Immediate Contact: Governor's Communications Office

Date: Oct. 7, 2012 Phone: 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire extends State of Emergency and burn ban to include all counties in Washington state

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that an emergency proclamation declaring a State of Emergency and banning all outdoor burning has been extended through midnight Monday, Oct. 15^th, and now includes all counties in Washington state.

"Washington state is experiencing a weather pattern like one we've rarely seen before," Gregoire said. "The long, warm and dry spell has elevated fire danger across our state. Given that we don't expect a significant amount of rainfall for quite some time, it makes sense to extend this proclamation and expand the burn ban. Extraordinary dry conditions across our state require that all Washingtonians exercise the utmost caution and allow fire crews to focus on the challenges at hand."

"Most often it's wind, or snow or heavy rain that causes us problems," said Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. "In this case some very nice weather also has an extreme downside. While we'd all like to be camping or picnicking in the woods, open fires just can't be a part of the mix."

The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including but not limited to:

• Campfires
• Bonfires
• Residential yard debris clean-up, trash disposal, land clearing, weed abatement and agricultural burning activity
• Ignition of fireworks

Liquid fueled or gas-fueled stoves are permitted provided that use is conducted over a non-flammable surface and is at least five feet from flammable vegetation. Charcoal grills are permitted at private residences under the same conditions.

The proclamation issued by the governor:

• Directs state agencies and departments to continue to utilize state resources and to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from the fires;
• Notes the order into active state service of the organized militia of Washington state, to include the National Guard and the State Guard remains in effect; and
• Instructs the Washington State Emergency Operations Center to continue to coordinate all event-related assistance to the affected areas.

The state's Department of Ecology is monitoring air quality across Washington state where smoke-filled air remains.

To check for air quality monitoring information, visit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/air_monitoring_data/WAQA_Intro_Page.html

Meanwhile, the Washington State Department of Health is providing answers to frequently asked questions about wildfire smoke here: http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/OutdoorAir/SmokeFromFires.aspx

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