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Aug. 14 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis


A weak low pressure crosses over the incident today bringing in atmospheric instability and possible afternoon thunderstorms.  Conditions will remain very warm and dry.   Transport winds will be out of the west.  Surface inversion is predicted to lift around 12:00 PM.  Yesterday,  successful burn out operations were conducted in the north to the northeast and southeast to east perimeter of the fire adding approximately 500 acres. With a weak low pressure and instability moving in over the incident, crews are planning to hold and improve existing lines and burnout lines.  The fire perimeter grew approximately 1, 894 acres with a total of 15,394 acres.  Most growth was due to the main fire growing into burnout lines. Unity conditions in the morning will vary from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous  smoke levels but will become a Moderate level around 1:00PM.  Baker City, Burns, John Day, Prairie City and Vale will have Good smoke levels today. Prairie City and John Day may have Moderate smoke conditions early in the morning.  Expect smoke settling in overnight.
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday Observed Midnight-Midnight   
August 13, 2016
Today Forecast  August 14, 2016
Tomorrow Outlook
August 15, 2016
Worse Time of Day Impacts
 
John Day
Good
Good
Good
Expect smoke Moderate smoke levels early in the morning turning to Good levels today and tonight.
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
Very Unhealthy
2:00AM – Noon
 Very Unhealthy:
4:00AM – 1:00PM
 Very Unhealthy:
4:00AM – 1:00PM
Conditions in the morning will vary from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous smoke levels but will become a Moderate level by 1:00PM.
 
Moderate: day-night
Moderate: day-night
Moderate: day-night
Prairie City
Good
Good
Good
Expect smoke Moderate smoke levels early in the morning turning to Good levels today and tonight.
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