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Bald Sisters Fire Smoke Update for Sep 22, 2014

Bald Sisters Fire
Air Quality Update for 9/22/2014  by  Dan Chan

Yesterday:
Air quality monitor at John Day measured “Moderate” amount of smoke yesterday. The fire growth was estimated to be 250 acres and this created smoke columns up to a mile high.  However, because of the mostly southwesterly wind last night, smoke settled in drainages to the northeast of the fire and only relative small amount came into Prairie City this morning. 

Today:
John Day measured less smoke this morning than yesterday.   Southeasterly wind is expected for tonight.  Smoke is likely to settle into the John Day Valley, increasing the smoke concentration at Prairie City and John Day tonight and tomorrow morning. 

Tomorrow: 
Strong Southwesterly wind is expected ahead of an approaching cold front from the coast.  This will transport most of the smoke to the northeast of the fire. 

Air Quality Outlook (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter)
Site
Yesterday
Sept 21, 2014
Today
Sept 22, 2014
Tomorrow
Sept 23, 2014
John Day
Moderate
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.