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Aug. 24 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis

Weather: Today will be cool under a northly flow aloft.  Temperatures will be in the 60s and 70s, minimum relative humidity will be higher at 15-25%, and winds will be light and terrain driven, except north winds on ridges gusting to 30 mph in the afternoon.  The inversion will lift around 9:00AM. 
Fire Activity: The fire is 40% contained at approximately 32,170 acres.   Patches of unburned fuel within the fire area continue to burn until consumed.  Mop-up of smoldering material continues on the west, north and east perimeters. The south flank of the fire remains active, as the fire moves slowly south within the Monument Rock Wilderness.  The containment line around the wilderness area is being strengthened with burnout operations as necessary. 
Smoke Summary:  Yesterday, smoke conditions in Unity were Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups until 10:00AM.  Smoke conditions in all other locations were Good all day.  Again today, most smoke impacts will be local to the fire.  Unity will have Good conditions after the morning inversion.  John Day, Prairie City, Baker City, Vale and Burns will have Good conditions with hazy skies.  Smoke from fires in Idaho and Washington will contribute to haze in the area.  Expect smoke settling into the drainages overnight.   
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Notes for today’s forecast
John Day
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Baker City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Burns
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Unity
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
4:00AM – 10:00AM
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
1:00AM – 9:00AM
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
1:00AM – 9:00AM
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies after the morning inversion lifts.

Good:
 afternoon-evening
Good:
 afternoon-evening
Good:
afternoon - evening
Prairie City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Sites without a monitor
Site
Today
Tomorrow
Worse Time of Day Impacts
Vale
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
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.
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