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Bald Sisters Fire Air Quality Update for 9/24/2014

Bald Sisters Fire Air Quality Update for 9/24/2014  by  Dan Chan

Yesterday:
John Day, Unity and Baker City measured “Good” air quality yesterday.  Although lightning from previous night started half a dozen new fires yesterday, they were promptly contained by local fire crews.  Most of the resourced from the Bald Sisters Fire were demobed yesterday as well. 

Today:
Limited fire growth and thus limited smoke production is expected for today due to moist fuel condition on the ground.  Southwesterly wind is expected for today.  In the evening, wind will weakened and smoke from Bald Sisters fire is likely to settle onto the North Malheur River Valley and drainages to the south of the fire.  

Tomorrow: 
Rain is forecast to arrive at John Day tomorrow morning.  The rain band will move east and is forecast to exit Unity by night fall.  Southerly wind is expected during the day and this will push smoke, if any, to the north of the fire.    

No further update will be provided for this fire until further notice. 

Air Quality Outlook (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter)
Site
Yesterday
Sept 23, 2014
Today
Sept 24, 2014
Tomorrow
Sep 25, 2014
John Day
Good
Good
Good
Baker City
Good
Good
Good
Unity
Good
Good
Good

Category
Meaning
Actions to Protect Yourself
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 small number of sensitive people.
Unusually Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor recreation.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups(USG)
Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly.
People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults should avoid all physical outdoor activity. 
Unhealthy
Increasing aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; increased respiratory effects in general population.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy
Increasing aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; increased respiratory effects in general population.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Hazardous
Significant aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; significant increase in respiratory effects in general population.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.

Unhealthy
(
56-150)
Everyone may begin to experience more serious health effects.
The following groups should avoid all physical outdoor activity: People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults.  Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy
(151-250)
Triggers a health alert, meaning everyone may experience more serious health effects
Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.