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Aug. 28 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis

Weather: Today’s weather will be much like yesterday’s but with Southwest winds.  Warm and dry conditions continue: temperatures will be in the mid-70 to mid-80s, minimum relative humidity will be 13-19%.  Winds will be 5-10 mph, gusting to 20 mph on ridges, shifting from Southwest to Northwest around 5:00PM.  Overnight winds will shift from Northwest to Northeast to Southeast.  Monday will see Southwest winds and an increase in mid and high clouds. 
Fire Activity: The fire is 58% contained at 34,369 acres.  Fire activity Saturday was a combination of consumption of unburned fuels within the Monument Rock Wilderness and successful blacklining operations on its east and west perimeters.     
Smoke Summary:  Saturday, fire activity lifted smoke to westerly transport winds, which carried the smoke high above and beyond Vale. Smoke conditions were Good in all communities in the impact area.  Sunday, most smoke impacts will be local to and east of the Monument Rock Wilderness.  Unity, John Day, Prairie City, Baker City, Vale and Burns will have Good conditions.  Baker City and Vale will have hazy skies.  Overnight winds may elevate conditions briefly in John Day and Prairie City Monday morning. 
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Notes for today’s forecast
John Day
Good
Good
Good
Hazy morning Monday before afternoon clearing
Baker City
Good
Good
Good
Good conditions and hazy skies
Burns
Good
Good
Good
Good throughout the day
Unity
Good

Good

Good
Good conditions with smoky skies again to the southeast
Prairie City
Good
Good
Good
Hazy morning Monday before afternoon clearing
Sites without a monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Notes for today’s forecast
Vale
No data
Good
Good
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.
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