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Aug. 26 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis

Weather: Today’s weather will be much like yesterday’s.   A dry northerly flow will continue a warming and drying trend.  Temperatures will be in the 70-80s, minimum relative humidity will be 12-18%, and winds will be light and terrain driven, except north-northwest winds on ridges gusting to 18 mph in the afternoon.  The inversion will lift around 10:00AM.  Tomorrow and Sunday the flow will shift to westerly, with stronger winds expected. 
Fire Activity: The fire is 50% contained at approximately 32,829 acres.   The active part of the fire is along the southern perimeter where blacklining operations continue to strengthen containment lines ahead of the fire as it moves slowly south within the Monument Rock Wilderness.  Good progress was made yesterday.    
Smoke Summary:  Thursday, smoke conditions were Good in all communities in the impact area.  Air quality effects of the inversion in Unity Friday morning will be minimal.  Friday, Unity, John Day, Prairie City, Baker City, Vale and Burns will have Good conditions.  Smoke from other fires in the region may contribute to haze in the area.  Expect smoke settling into the drainages overnight Friday.   
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.
Baker City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Burns
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Unity
Good

Good

Good
Expect Good conditions.
Prairie City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions.
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.
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
Info on how to use Visibility to estimate health impacts from wildfire smoke

*  Sensitive Groups include people with heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women and older adults