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Deception Complex smoke update for Sunday, 9/7/14

Yesterday’s operations limited fire growth; however, burning of interior islands produces the main smoke plumes. This nighttime burnout combined with continued burning of interior islands resulted in an additional smoke production during yesterday’s shift. Some of the smoke from yesterday descended causing elevated PM concentrations Sunday morning from Dexter east to Oakridge. 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 light west winds increasing by this afternoon, and if conditions are right, the burn team will begin burnout operations on the north west perimeter.  Smoke will linger all day from Dexter to Oakridge as smoke drifts down valley. Anticipate Eugene and Cottage Grove to be hazy today, coming under influence of the Yellow Pine fire. Afternoon winds are forecast to be light west moving smoke to the north and north east with mostly upslope during the day and down slope at night.  Cooler temperatures and a more stable atmospheric will suppress lofting with the majority of this smoke to settle in the Oakridge area.  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 Sunday (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter)


Site
Sunday Morning
Sep 7, 2014
Sunday Afternoon
Sep 7, 2014
Sunday Evening
Sep 7, 2014
Oakridge
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Moderate
Moderate
Westfir
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Moderate
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Dexter
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate


24 Hour Average PM 2.5 concentrations from Deception Complex Sunday September 7, 2014