8/5/2013 EPA Continues Burn Ban for Yakama Reservation

EPA Continues Burn Ban for Yakama Reservation

Contact:
Gary Olson, 206-553-0977, olson.gary@epa.gov
Keith Rose, 206-553-1949, rose.keith@epa.gov,

(Seattle, Wash. – August 5, 2013)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 will continue a burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama Reservation through Wednesday, August 7th at 12 PM due to the impact of smoke from wildfires.  This smoke has caused monitor readings to be elevated above levels normally expected for this time of year.   Weather patterns and expectations for control of these wild fires would indicate that conditions for levels to reach unhealthy for sensitive people continues to exist.  Therefore this burn ban will be in place through till Wednesday, August 7th when the situation will be re-evaluated.

 

For further information on wildfires in Washington State,  you can visit the Washington Smoke Blog at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

 

The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning, including camping and recreational fires within reservation boundaries.   Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the outdoor burn ban.

EPA also requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution, including excess driving and idling of vehicles, and the use of woodstoves and fireplaces, unless it is your only source of heat.

Air pollution can have significant health impacts.  Cooperation from the community will help people who are at risk during this period.  Those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with difficulty breathing and with heart and lung problems.  Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.

Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm

 

 

 

Gary Olson

EPA R-10

Suite 900 ,AWT-107

1200 6th AVE

Seattle, WA 98101

206-553-0977

 

Wildfire Smoke Update 8-05-2013

Updated Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) chart

Fire facts from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center Colockum Tarps WA-WFS-349. IMT2 (Nickey/Gales). 12 mi SE of Wenatchee, WA. Start 7/27,2013. Full Suppression. Grass, brush, timber. Cause under investigation. 80,400 acres (+0)ac. 60% containment. WA State Fire mobilization authorized. Level 1,2 and 3 evacuations. Moderate fire behavior. Natural and cultural resources as well as wind farm infrastructures remain at risk. Methow Complex WA-NES-000619. ICT3 (Shank). Near Twisp, WA. Start 7/31/2013. Full Suppression. Grass, timber. Cause lightning. 50 acres (+0). 50% containment. Includes; Dry Water 10 ac (+9) 100% containment., Keystone 700 ac 30% containment., Keystone North 300 ac. 30% containment. Knox 85 ac (+0) 30% containment., Mclaughlin Canyon 30 ac. 30% containment., Turtle Lake 25 ac (+24). 0% containment. Updated acreage  unavailable for individual fires in complex. Moore Point WA-OWF-000366. ICT3 (Schmidt). 35 mi NW of Chelan, WA. Start 7/28/2013. Point Zone Protection. Timber. Cause lightning. 1,538 acres (+0). 40% containment. Minimal fire  behavior. Limited access. No update received. Mile Marker 28 WA-YAA-000081. IMT2 (Rabe). 15 mi NE of Goldendale, WA. Start 7/24/2013. Full Suppression. Timber, brush. Cause under investigation . 27,104 acres (+2). 91% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Level 1 evacuations. Values at risk include commercial timber, cultural resources, powerline infrastructure, and T&E species. IMT3 transition 8/6. Riverside Block Complex WA-NES-000627. ICT3 (Knowlton). Near Riverside, WA. Start 8/01/2013. Full Suppression. Grass, timber. Cause lightning. 1,024 acres. (-576) 90% containment.

Local media updates Ellensburg  Goldendale   Wenatchee

Smoke Forecast The week begins with generally good air quality across the state except for White Swan, Toppenish, and Harrah which continue to have occasional spikes which keep them in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups categories.  The Seattle Duwamish monitor is also showing Moderate air quality.  Over the next three days smoke from the fires will generally be pushed northward at the beginning of the period gradually shifting to eastward by Wednesday.  There will also be periods of little movement each day which will allow the smoke to accumulate in the vicinity of the fires.  However the smoke output of all fires in Central Washington is much less than last week as the fire crews gain control.                                                                                                                                                                                                     The longer range outlook maintains dry weather until Thursday when the possibility of convective activity could produce precipitation and lightning.  Last night's model run develops significant precipitation, first along the Cascades but then later in the week across broad portions of Eastern Washington and finally including the Puget Sound lowlands by Saturday.  If the forecast quantity of precipitation verifies, the fires should be reduced to just some smoldering and this smoke episode will conclude by next Monday.

http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_color&date=2013_08_04_216&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA1&resolution=1000m

08/02/2013 Wildfire smoke update

Updated Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) chart

Fire facts from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center

Colockum Tarps. IMT2 (Nickey/Gales). 12 mi SE of Wenatchee, WA. Start 7/27,2013. Full Suppression. Grass,  brush, timber. Cause under investigation. 80,108 acres (+10,108). 30% containment. WA State Fire mobilization  authorized. Level 3 evacuations. Extreme fire behavior. Natural and cultural resources as well as wind farm  infrastructures remain at risk. Mile Marker 28. IMT2 (Rabe). 15 mi NE of Goldendale, WA. Start 7/24/2013. Full Suppression. Timber, brush.  Cause under investigation. 26,699 acres (-94). 75% containment. Hwy 97 re-opened. Moderate fire behavior.  Level 1 evacuation. Values at risk include commercial timber, cultural resources, power line infrastructure,  and T&E species.

Moore Point. ICT3 (Schmidt). 35 mi NW of Chelan, WA. Start 7/28/2013. Point Zone Protection. Timber.  Cause lightning. 1,500 acres (+414). 0% containment. Moderate fire behavior. Limited access. Lakeside cabins  threatened.

Local media updates Ellensburg  Goldendale   Wenatchee

Smoke Forecast

A record-breaking 1.10 inches of rain fell in Wenatchee yesterday and the radar indicates that some fell far enough south to hit the Colockum Tarps fire.  Rainfall in other areas ranged from a few hundredths of an inch to over three quarters of an inch. We will have to wait until some of the fire reports come in to judge how the fire behavior reacts to the rain. 

As for air quality, smoke dispersion looks good for today, Friday, with winds carrying the smoke rapidly eastward. However, there is a 24-hour period from midday Saturday through early afternoon Sunday when the winds will abate and smoke will likely accumulate near the fires.  If the rain has suppressed the fire activity sufficiently, we could see low smoke plume heights and high ground level smoke concentrations near the fires.  As the wind comes up Sunday evening that accumulated, smoke could drift through nearby communities and cause concentrations in the unhealthy for sensitive groups.

8/1/2013 8 am Air Quality Alert for Chelan County

Good in Wenatchee

Moderate in Leavenworth

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in Chelan

Nearly everyone likes to spend time outdoors on warm sunny days, but poor air quality can harm people with heart and lung disease. The Air Quality Index for Leavenworth is measuring as “Moderate”.   Chelan is measuring as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups this morning. Conditions will vary throughout our two-county area during the day as the wildfire smoke moves with the prevailing winds.

During these conditions, individuals with pre-existing heart and lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema, the elderly, and children may be affected in the “moderate” air quality areas. 

In the area Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups around Chelan people in those categories should limit outdoor activity, remain indoors with windows and doors closed, avoid excessive exertion, and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke or other respiratory irritants.  

Air conditioning units should be set on “recycle” mode to reduce introduction of contaminated outdoor air.  People without air conditioning need to take precautions against heat stress and should consider temporarily relocating to an area with better air quality. 

Members of the general population may also begin to feel adverse affects from poor air quality and should consider following these same precautions.  Adverse symptoms may include dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, coughing, excessive phlegm, and nausea. 

For specific medical advice please contact your physician.

8/01/2013 Wildfire update

Updated Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) chart

Fire facts from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center

Colockum Tarps WA-WFS-402. IMT2 (Nickey). 12 mi SE of Wenatchee, WA. Start 7/27,2013. Full Suppression. Grass, brush. Cause under investigation. 70,000 acres (+10,684). 25% containment. WA State Fire mobilization authorized. Additional level 3 evacuations added. Extreme fire behavior. Natural and cultural resources as well as wind farm infrastructures remain at risk.

Mile Marker 28 WA-YAA-000081. IMT2 (Rabe). 15 mi NE of Goldendale, WA. Start 7/24/2013. Full Suppression. Timber, brush. Cause under investigation . 26,793 acres (+4,324). 65% containment. Hwy 97 re-opened. Active fire behavior on north side of the fire. Level 1 evacuations. Values at risk include commercial timber, cultural resources, power line infrastructure, and T&E species.

Moore Point WA-OWF-000366. ICT3 (Schmidt). 35 mi NW of Chelan, WA. Start 7/28/2013. Point Zone Protection. Timber. Cause lightning. 1,086 acres (+836). 0% containment. Moderate fire behavior. Limited access. Lakeside cabins threatened.

Local media updates Ellensburg  Goldendale   Wenatchee

Smoke Forecast

Dry cold front passage last evening led to some modest reductions in smoke levels across much of eastern WA, although levels in many areas have since started creeping up. Some lightning strikes have been reported but we have not yet heard of new fires. There is a red flag warning for more thunderstorms/ lightning strikes/ new fires through late Thursday night, before wetter showers start in areas north of I-90. This will end the threat of new fire starts in the northern parts and perhaps help control some of the existing fires there. But when wet, fires tend to smolder for some time and produce smoke that is not very buoyant.

The risk of new fires remains south of I-90 through Friday. Moderate to strong winds accompanying these weather systems will likely aid smoke dispersion somewhat, but they are also likely to lead to erratic fire behavior.

Incoming weather will also drag some smoke from fires in southwest Oregon, over eastern WA. Impacts from Idahoan fires are not expected over the next two days.

In summary, compared to the past few days most areas in eastern WA can expect to smell a little less smoke today and tomorrow. Air quality should range between Good and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in most areas.

Satellite 1km visible image

7/31/2013 EPA Continues Burn Ban for Yakama Reservation

Contact:
Gary Olson, 206-553-0977, olson.gary@epa.gov
Keith Rose, 206-553-1949, rose.keith@epa.gov,

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 will continue a burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama Reservation through Monday, August 5th at 12 PM due to the impact of smoke from wildfires.  This smoke has caused monitor readings to approach and at time exceed unhealthy levels.  Weather patterns and expectations for control of these wild fires would indicate that conditions will remain about the same through the weekend.  Therefore this burn ban will be in place through till Monday, August 5th when the situation will be re-evaluated.

The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning, including camping and recreational fires within reservation boundaries.   Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the outdoor burn ban.

EPA also requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution, including excess driving and idling of vehicles, and the use of woodstoves and fireplaces, unless it is your only source of heat.

Air pollution can have significant health impacts.  Cooperation from the community will help people who are at risk during this period.  Those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with difficulty breathing and with heart and lung problems.  Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.

Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm.

Gary Olson

EPA R-10

Suite 900 ,AWT-107

1200 6th AVE

Seattle, WA 98101

206-553-0977

7/31/2013 8AM Chelan-Douglas County Health Air Quality Advisory

News Release

For Immediate Release:   July 31, 2013        

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY 

8AM

Moderate in Wenatchee and Leavenworth

Unhealthy in Chelan

Nearly everyone likes to spend time outdoors on warm sunny days, but poor air quality can harm people with heart and lung disease. The Air Quality Index throughout Wenatchee and Leavenworth is measuring as “Moderate”.   Chelan is measuring as Unhealthy this morning. Conditions will vary throughout our two-county area during the day as the wildfire smoke moves with the prevailing winds.

During these conditions, individuals with pre-existing heart and lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema, the elderly, and children may be affected in the “moderate” air quality areas. 

In the Unhealthy area around Chelan people should avoid outdoor activity, remain indoors with windows and doors closed, avoid excessive exertion, and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke or other respiratory irritants.  

Air conditioning units should be set on “recycle” mode to reduce introduction of contaminated outdoor air.  People without air conditioning need to take precautions against heat stress and should consider temporarily relocating to an area with better air quality. 

Members of the general population may also begin to feel adverse affects from poor air quality and should consider following these same precautions.  Adverse symptoms may include dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, coughing, excessive phlegm, and nausea. 

For specific medical advice please contact your physician.

More information is available concerning air quality and current fire conditions at the following websites:

Smoke Blog:                       www.wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Ecology:                               https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

Forest Service: http://inciweb.org/

Real-time webcams:      www.wenworld.com

7/30/13 Burn Ban Stage 1 is called for Upper and Lower Yakima County areas

Please be advised:

Effective: 02:30 p.m. PDT today, Tuesday, July 30, 2013:

Due to poor dispersion and ventilation today and tonight- YRCAA is calling a stage 1 burn ban for both the Upper and Lower Yakima County areas, due to residual smoke originating from wildfires in the Yakima area.

Air quality is expected to be poor over the next few days, as dispersion and ventilation are expected to be poor to fair.  Wind speeds are projected to be variable, averaging 5 to 7 mph. 

However, YRCAA will keep stage one in place until further notice and improvement in air quality due to wildfire.

• PM2.5 Air Quality levels are into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level in the Lower County area, and
• PM2.5 Air Quality levels are into the Moderate (Yellow) level for the Upper County area
• Agricultural Burn allocation are 0  piles per request for Upper and 0 for the Lower Today.
• Dispersion for our jurisdiction is Poor to Fair.
• Ventilation for our jurisdiction is Poor to Poor.
• Wind speed  ~ Southeast to Southwest at night 6 to 8 mph increasing at night.

PLEASE NOTE:

• During Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups (Orange) Air Quality Conditions –
• People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
• Consult your health care professional if you begin to experience difficulty breathing 
• Everyone else should try and limit outdoor activity.
• Consolidate necessary trips

Please Note:  Restrictions may differ within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Reservation.  The Yakama Nation is addressing air quality issues in conjunction with the EPA, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR).  For up-to-date information there, please call 1-800-424-4EPA (1-800-424-4372) and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm .

Reminder:

  During a Stage 1 Burn Ban:

1.   All Outdoor Burning, including Agricultural burning, is prohibited;

2.   Although few are using home heating this time of year,

     a.   the use of any fireplace, uncertified wood stove or uncertified fireplace         insert is prohibited unless it is the only adequate means of heating a
       home;

     b.   No excessive smoke (over 20% opacity) is allowed from any wood
       burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up; and

3.   All violations of the burn ban are subject to civil penalty.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Hasan Tahat, Ph.D.

Engineering and Planning Division Supervisor

Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency

Tel:  (509) 834-2050 ext. 105

Fax: (509) 834-2060

E-mail:  hasan@yrcaa.org 

7/30/2013 Large Fire Update for Central WA

Fire Facts: Coluckum Tarps – 12 miles SE of Wenatchee, Washington; 42,600 acres, 5% containment. This fire is burning in grass and brush, cause is under investigation. Evacuations remain in effect. Natural and cultural resources as well as wind farm infrastructure remain at risk. State Mobilization authorized.

Mile Marker 28 – 15 miles NE of Goldendale, Washington; 22,469 acres, 40% containment. This fire is burning in brush and timber, cause is unknown. Hwy 97 remains closed. Evacuations on southern portion of the fire have been lifted. Natural and cultural resources remain at risk. State Mobilization will end today

Local media updates: Goldendale area Wenatchee area:

Smoke Forecast: High levels of smoke are expected to continue close to the fires, particularly in the afternoon and at night. Some clearing is expected in and around the Columbia Basin this afternoon, but air may degrade to moderate or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups at night.

A series of weather systems approach from Wednesday onward. The approaching low pressure systems and resulting east winds in eastern Washington will drag in some smoke from Idahoan wildfires on Wednesday. The smoke is likely to impact the Lewis-Clark Valley, and possibly Walla Walla. East winds could also drive some smoke from WA wildfires close to the Cascade crest and westward through the Columbia River Gorge.

Wednesday’s weather systems carry the risk of dry lightning and potential fire starts, but then bring what could be significant, fire-dousing rainfall to the east slopes of the Washington Cascades on Thursday. Talk about mixed blessings! Good clearing is expected on Thursday, so hopefully we’ll start the day on Friday with Good air quality everywhere.

Aqua satellite image from 7/29/2013

7/30/2013 Washington Large Fire Update Report excerpt from WSP - Fire Protection Bureau

Coluckum Tarps – 12 miles SE of Wenatchee, Washington; 42,600 acres, 5% containment

This fire is burning in grass and brush, cause is under investigation.  Evacuations remain in effect.  Natural and cultural resources as well as wind farm infrastructure remain at risk.  State Mobilization authorized.

Mile Marker 28 – 15 miles NE of Goldendale, Washington; 22,469 acres, 40% containment

This fire is burning in brush and timber, cause is unknown.  Hwy 97 remains closed.  Evacuations on southern portion of the fire have been lifted.  Natural and cultural resources remain at risk.  State Mobilization will end today.

Weather Watches and Warnings:

Hazardous Weather Outlook for Central, South, South Central and Southeast Washington for Wednesday through Monday.  Scattered thunderstorms are possible Wednesday and Thursday as a mid/upper-level trough offshore brings mid-level moisture and elevated instability into the region.  Daytime surface heating will trigger thunderstorms both days over the mountains with storms moving north toward lower terrain by late Wednesday afternoon into the evening.

Weather Synopsis:

Southerly flow of moist and unstable air will increase region-wide over the next couple of days in response to a low pressure system deepening off the coast.  The low will move inland Thursday night and gradually weaken over the weekend.  Thunderstorms and showers will accompany this weather system in most, if not all, predictive service areas.  Thunderstorms will start out as a mixture of dry and wet, ultimately becoming wet by Thursday night or Friday.  Widespread wetting showers are likely on through the weekend in Washington and maybe northern portions of Oregon.

Large Fire Potential:

Light lightning caused Initial Attack (IA) likely to begin as early as this evening in SW Oregon with moderate levels of IA expected on Wednesday and Thursday across most of the region.  Two to six new large fires are certainly a possibility in the Wednesday/Thursday timeframe.

7/30/2013 Chelan/Douglas County Health District News Release- Air Quality Advisory

News Release

For Immediate Release:   July 30, 2013        

  

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY

 Unhealthy for Sensitive Populations

 Nearly everyone likes to spend time outdoors on warm sunny days, but poor air quality can harm people with heart and lung disease. The Air Quality Index throughout the Wenatchee area is measuring as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Populations”.   Conditions will vary throughout our two-county area as the wildfire smoke moves through the area with the prevailing winds.

During these conditions, individuals with pre-existing heart and lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema, the elderly, and children should avoid outdoor activity, remain indoors with windows and doors closed, avoid excessive exertion, and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke or other respiratory irritants. 

Air conditioning units should be set on “recycle” mode to reduce introduction of contaminated outdoor air.  People without air conditioning need to take precautions against heat stress and should consider temporarily relocating to an area with better air quality. 

Members of the general population may also begin to feel adverse affects from poor air quality and should consider following these same precautions.  Adverse symptoms may include dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, coughing, excessive phlegm, and nausea.  For specific medical advice please contact your physician.

More information is available concerning air quality and current fire conditions at the following websites:

Ecology:                               https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

Forest Service: http://inciweb.org/

Real-time webcams:      www.wenworld.com

7/29/2013 EPA Continues Burn Ban for Yakama Reservation

(Seattle, Wash. – July 29,2013)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 will continue a burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama Reservation through Wednesday, July 31^st at 12 PM due to the impact of smoke from wildfires.  This smoke has caused monitor readings to approach and at time exceed the unhealthy level for sensitive groups. Weather patterns and expectations for control of these wild fires would indicate that conditions will remain about the same through Wednesday.  Therefore this burn ban will be in place through till Wednesday, July 31^st  when the situation will be re-evaluated.

The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning, including camping and recreational fires within reservation boundaries.   Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the outdoor burn ban.

EPA also requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution, including excess driving and idling of vehicles, and the use of woodstoves and fireplaces, unless it is your only source of heat.

Air pollution can have significant health impacts.  Cooperation from the community will help people who are at risk during this period.  Those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with difficulty breathing and with heart and lung problems.  Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.

Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm

Gary Olson

EPA R-10

Suite 900 ,AWT-107

1200 6th AVE

Seattle, WA 98101

206-553-0977

7/29/2013 Large Fire Update for Central WA

In Central Washington, we have two large fires and several small fires.  The large fires are named Colockum Tarps: located 12 miles SE of Wenatchee and Mile Marker 28: 15 miles NE of Goldendale.  Please select the linked tabs on this blog to find current information.  We are watching these fires closely for large scale smoke impacts to nearby communities.

The satellite image below (taken on Sunday afternoon) clearly shows how smoke is drifting across the Columbia Basin in eastern Washington. Much of this smoke remains aloft at this time, although some of the air quality monitors are picking up occasional spikes of ground level smoke.

Smoke forecast: Expect high levels of smoke close to the fires, particularly in the afternoon hours. Nighttime drainage flows can also cause smoke to pool in nearby valleys. Further downwind, smoke impacts will occur mostly during the night, with some daytime clearing. Expect air quality in several areas be Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, except closer to the fires where things could be worse. Although several wildfires are burning in Oregon and Idaho, we don’t expect significant smoke impacts from them at this time.

The possibility of thunderstorms and potentially wetter weather later in the week carries the risk of more lightning-caused wildfires, while also alleviating fire/ smoke spread.

Local media updates: Goldendale area  Wenatchee area:

Fire Facts- Colockum Tarps WA-WFS-402. IMT2 (Nickey). 12 mi SE of Wenatchee, WA. Start 7/27,2013. Full Suppression. Grass, brush. Cause unknown. 7,000 acres (+6,000). 0% containment. WA State Fire mobilization authorized. Evacuations in effect. Type 2 WA Team 4 (Nickey) transitioning in. Active fire behavior.

Mile Marker 28 WA-YAA-000081. IMT2 (Rabe). 15 mi NE of Goldendale, WA. Start 7/24/2013. Full Suppression. Timber, brush. Cause Unknown. 17,171 acres (+8,215). 25% containment. Hwy 97 remains closed. Active fire behavior. Level 2 and 3 evacuation notifications have been issued on southern perimeter. WA Fire Marshal Office fire mobilization authorized 7/26.

Satellite imagery

7/8/2013 No Significant Air Quality Impacts Expected from Current Wildfires

Two wildfires are currently burning in Washington: the 25 Mile fire near Manson and Lake Chelan, and the Rattlesnake fire 25 miles SE of Keller, WA.  Neither fire is expected to cause significant air quality impacts beyond some very light haze, such as can be seen in the picture below taken near the 25 Mile fire. Some residents in areas very close to the fires could experience some more significant smoke and should take precautions if particularly sensitive.  More on the 25-Mile fire (including areas subject to evacuation) can be found here: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3493/

7/8/2013 Wildfire Season is Here

Summer brings hot days, thunderstorms, and the potential for wildfires. We have already seen a few human-caused fires in Omak, Yakima, and Kennewick. If a large wildfire with serious smoke impacts occurs, we will begin posting smoke and air quality updates to this blog.

In the meantime, the Washington State Department of Health just came out with some new guidance for schools on how to deal with air pollution and wildfire smoke. School’s out for now, but it’s a good idea to review what to do now so you can be ready in the fall. You can find the guidance on the DOH website here: Air Pollution and School Activities

If you have any questions please leave them in the comments section and we will answer them.

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.