Thursday, August 14, 2014

8-14-14 Air Quality Report

Smoke Synopsis:
A slow moving low pressure system over North Central Oregon will remain nearly stationary today and then slowly track into Northeast Washington on Friday, resulting in: a continuation of showers and thunderstorms over the area, reduced fire behavior, and greatly improved air quality.  Typical down-valley flows along the eastern Cascades will be moderated.

Due to the continued precipitation over the area and significantly reduced fire behavior, air quality is anticipated to be good through early Saturday, with some possible areas of moderate AQ directly down drainage from the most active fires. Continued fire activity at the Devil’s Elbow Fire is expected to affect Keller and other areas down the Highway 21 corridor.
Air Quality Outlook:
Site
Thursday
August 14, 2014

Friday
August 15, 2014

Saturday
August 16, 2014

Comments
Colville
Good
Good
Moderate

Wellpinit
Good
Good
Moderate

Keller
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy

Omak
Good
Good
Good

Malott
Good
Good
Good

Brewster
Good
Good
Good

Winthrop
Moderate
Moderate
USG

Twisp
Moderate
Moderate
USG

Chelan
Good
Good
Moderate

Entiat
Good
Moderate
USG

Plain
Good
Good
Moderate

Leavenworth
Good
Moderate
Moderate

Wenatchee
Good
Good
Moderate

Ellensburg
Good
Moderate
Moderate

Yakima
Good
Good
Good

NOTE – in table above “USG” stands for “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”
For detailed information about the color coded air quality categories, please see:
Warning: These data have been obtained from automated instruments and have not been subjected to a quality assurance review to determine their accuracy. They are presented for public awareness and should not be considered final. Conditions such as power outages and equipment malfunctions can produce invalid data.

1 Since wildfires often occur in remote areas, air monitoring equipment may not be available. The following table provides a quick method to assess air quality in your area. For more detailed information you can go to the following site: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/wildfires/visibility.htm

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

8-13-14 Air Quality Report

Smoke Synopsis:
Many fire areas received between one quarter and one inch of rain yesterday.  In general this has reduced fire activity and will allow firefighters to be more aggressive today including using burnouts to strengthen containment lines.  The increased humidity will cause more smoldering and this along with planned burnouts could maintain a notable level of smoke generation.  Cloudy skies and poor mixing this afternoon could lead to smoke staying relatively close to the ground and in the valleys.  Winds will continue to be quite light.

Yesterday's rain and wind helped disperse some smoke but information on new fire starts is still trickling in and may not appear for a few days. Any new fires will affect the smoke forecast.  Smoke will accumulate, flush out and accumulate again in several areas through Saturday. Smoke from fires outside the state may occasionally impact cities close to state borders to varying extents.
Air Quality Outlook:
Site
Wednesday
August 13, 2014

Thursday
August 14, 2014

Friday
August 15, 2014

Comments
Colville
USG
Moderate
Moderate

Wellpinit
Moderate
USG
Moderate

Keller
USG
Unhealthy
Unhealthy

Omak
Moderate
USG
Moderate

Malott
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Brewster
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Winthrop
USG
Moderate
Moderate

Twisp
USG
Moderate
Moderate

Chelan
Moderate
Moderate
Good

Entiat
USG
USG
USG

Plain
Good
Good
Good

Leavenworth
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Wenatchee
USG
Moderate
Moderate

Ellensburg
USG
USG
USG

Yakima
Good
Good
Good

NOTE – in table above “USG” stands for “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”
For detailed information about the color coded air quality categories, please see:
Warning: These data have been obtained from automated instruments and have not been subjected to a quality assurance review to determine their accuracy. They are presented for public awareness and should not be considered final. Conditions such as power outages and equipment malfunctions can produce invalid data.

1 Since wildfires often occur in remote areas, air monitoring equipment may not be available. The following table provides a quick method to assess air quality in your area. For more detailed information you can go to the following site: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/wildfires/visibility.htm