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Deception Complex smoke dispersion and AQ forecast for 9/6/14

Last night, the burnout operation to secure the east perimeter of the fire west of Oakridge was completed. This burnout combined with continued burning of interior islands resulted in an additional 430 acres of fire growth through yesterday’s shift. Some of the smoke from yesterday descended on Cottage Grove and resulted in hazy conditions in the afternoon. Smoke also flowed down the Deception creek drainage impacting the Westfir community last night. Oakridge conditions remained good throughout the day and night times.

Today’s winds will switch to southwest this afternoon and if conditions are right, the burn team will begin burnout operations on the west perimeter.  Smoke is forecast to disperse as far as Eugene where some hazy conditions can be anticipated. In the late afternoon winds switch to southwest moving smoke to the north and north east. Warm temperatures and atmospheric instability will loft the majority of this smoke over the Oakridge area but some smoke may settle in Oakridge overnight.  We forecast the air quality to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” in Westfir as smoke vents down the Deception Creek drainage this afternoon, and “Moderate” for Oakridge into the evening as smoke pools with cooling temperatures.


Air Quality Forecast for Saturday (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter)


Site
Saturday Morning
Sep 6, 2014
Saturday Afternoon
Sep 6, 2014
Saturday Evening
Sep 6, 2014
Oakridge
Moderate
Good
Moderate
Westfir
Moderate
Good
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Dexter
Good
Good
Good

24 hour average PM 25.5 concentration for Saturday September 6, 2014
Deception Complex