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Aug. 13 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis


High pressure remains in place over the region bringing slightly warmer and drier conditions.  Transport winds will be out of the west-southwest.  Surface inversion is predicted to lift around 11:00 am, but high clouds could delay this lift.  Yesterday, burn out operations were conducted in the north to the northeast and southeast perimeter of the fire adding approximately 800-900 acres. As long as weather and fire behavior are favorable, burnout operations will continue in the north to the northeast and southeast perimeter of the fire.  Approximately another 750-1000 acres are planned for today.  The fire perimeter grew approximately 1,304 acres with a total of 13,500 acres.  Unity  saw Unhealthy  levels of smoke overnight last night.  As the inversion lifts, Unity should expect Moderate smoke levels today, but with continued burnout operations may see Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy levels of smoke settling in overnight.  Baker City, Burns, John Daly, Prairie City and Vale will have Good smoke levels today. Prairie City may have Moderate smoke conditions overnight.  Expect smoke settling in overnight.
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday Observed Midnight-Midnight  
August 12, 2016
Today Forecast  August 13, 2016
Tomorrow Outlook
August 14, 2016
Worse Time of Day Impacts
 
John Day
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today.  
Baker City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today with possible hazy skies overnight.
Burns
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today.
Unity
Unhealthy:
2:00AM – 11:00AM
 Unhealthy:
2:00AM – 11:00AM
Unhealthy:
2:00AM – 11:00AM
Expect Moderate smoke levels after the inversion lifts then Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy overnight.
 
Moderate: day-night
Moderate: day-night
Moderate: day-night
Prairie City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today possible Moderate smoke levels overnight.
Sites without a monitor
Site
Today
Tomorrow
Worse Time of Day Impacts
Vale
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today with possible hazy skies overnight.
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly. These predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity. AQI estimates for sites do not represent a full 24-hour time period.  Instead they reflect a period of time within the day where smoke impacts would be greatest.
AQI Index
Actions to Protect Yourself
Good
None
 
Moderate
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups- USG
People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy           
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
 
Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Hazardous
The following groups should remain indoors and keep activity levels low: People with heart or lung disease; children and older adults. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion

* Sensitive Groups include people with heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women                             and  older adults