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Wildfire Air Quality Forecast for John Day area - August 13, 2014


Central OR & JDICC Wildfire Air Quality Summary Report
Prepared for August 13, 2014,
Andrea Holland, Air Resource Advisor

   Air Quality Outlook
Yesterday’s storm passage brought gusty winds to the areas around the South Fork Complex and Bald Sisters fires resulting in a noticeable clearing of the air in surrounding communities.
Today’s elevated humidity and lower temperatures will dampen fire behavior to primarily smoldering and creeping activity.  Smoke impacts will be localized and potentially heaviest during early to late morning hours reflecting drainage flow during those times into affected valley communities.  Transport winds will be from the west to northwest mostly providing relief to Oregon communities from the fires in northern California.
Tomorrow will see similar temperature and humidity conditions.  Fire behavior is not expected to increase. Smoke impacts to communities closest to the South Fork Complex and Bald Sisters fires are expected to be limited to down drainage impacts during early morning hours.  Transport winds will be northerly.
Site
August 12
AQI
August 13
Today AQI
August 14
AQI
Remarks
Bend
Good
Good
Good

Burns
Good
Good
Good

Dayville
No data
Good
Good

Madras
Good
Good
Good

John Day
Good
Good
Good

Paulina
No data
Good
Good

Prairie City
No data
Good
Good

Prineville
Good
Good
Good

Seneca
Good(est)
Good
Good

Sisters
Good
Good
Good

Unity
No data
Good
Good

PLEASE NOTE: The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review to determine their accuracy.  AQI’s estimated for sites with USFS air monitors.
Air Quality Index
Potential Health Impacts
Actions to Reduce Smoke Exposure
Good
Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk
None
Moderate
Air quality is acceptable for most.  There may be moderate health concern for a very small number of individuals.
Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should limit time spend outdoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects.  The general public is not likely to be affected.
Everyone should avoid prolonged exposure to smoke.  Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should minimize exposure by staying inside where air is cleaner. 
Unhealthy
Everyone may begin to experience health effects.  These effects may be more serious for sensitive people.
Everyone should limit time spent outdoors and choose non-strenuous indoor activities.  Sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults should stay indoors where air is clean.
Very Unhealthy
Triggers a health alert meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects
Everyone should limit time spent outdoors and preferably stay indoors where air is clean.   Staying indoors is especially important for sensitive individuals such as those with heart or lung disease, infants, children, pregnant women, or older adults.
Hazardous
Triggers health warnings of emergency conditions.  Everyone is very likely to be affected by serious health effects.
Everyone should avoid all outdoor activity.  Relief from smoke is best accomplished by leaving for cleaner air.  Alternately, remain indoors  where air is clean.
For more information visit www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com
Air Quality data can be viewed at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx