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Aug. 17 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis

Little change from yesterday as burning conditions remain warm, very dry and moderately unstable.  Transport winds are expected to be out of the west northwest.  Surface inversion is predicted to lift around 12:00 PM.  Crews today will patrol and mop-up the north and east perimeter of the fire.  Overnight, fire crews began blacklining the west perimeter of the fire and will continue today if conditions permit. Due to active fire behavior the night before through last night, the fire grew approximately 5,251 acres with acres totaling 21,600. Due to the fire crossing  the south perimeter into the Monument Rock Wilderness, fire crews will work to improve an alternate control line.  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, and Prairie City  will have Good smoke levels today.  Vale may see Moderate smoke levels due to west northwest transport winds.  Expect smoke settling into the drainages overnight.
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday Observed Midnight-Midnight   
August 16, 2016
Today Forecast  August 17, 2016
Tomorrow Outlook
August 18, 2016
Worse Time of Day Impacts

John Day
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today with possible hazy skies overnight.
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
Hazardous
3:00AM – 12:00PM
Very Unhealthy
5:00AM – 1:00PM
 Very Unheathy
2:00AM – 12:00PM
Conditions in the morning will vary from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous smoke levels but will become a  Moderate level by 1:00PM.

USG: day-night
Moderate: day-night
Moderate: day-night
Prairie City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today with possible hazy skies overnight.
Sites without a monitor
Site
Today
Tomorrow
Worse Time of Day Impacts
Vale
Moderate
Good
Expect Moderate 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