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Aug. 12 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis

High pressure in place over the region will bring in warmer and drier conditions.  Mixing heights will take a notable jump today with defined columns possible within a couple hours of the inversion breaking. Transport winds will be out of the west-northwest.  Surface inversion will lift around 11:00 am.  Yesterday, burn out operations were conducted in the northeast and southeast perimeter of the fire adding approximately 400-500 acres. If conditions allow, burnouts will continue today in the north and southeast perimeter of the fire to ensure security to the fire’s edge. Total acres planned for the burnout today is approximately 750-1000 acres.  The fire perimeter grew approximately 690 acres with a total of 12,196 acres.  Unity  saw Unhealthy for Sensitive levels for smoke overnight last night.  As the inversion lifts, Unity should expect Good to Moderate smoke levels today, but with planned burnout operations may see 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 11, 2016
Today Forecast  August 12, 2016
Tomorrow Outlook
August 13, 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: overnight
 USG: overnight
Unhealthy: overnight
Expect Good to Moderate smoke levels after the inversion lifts then possible Unhealthy overnight.

Good: day-night
Good: 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
Info on how to use Visibility to estimate health impacts from wildfire smoke

Info on wildfire smoke and your health