Skip to main content

Aug. 9 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis


The upper low will slide over eastern Washington today bringing in temperatures well below normal.  Very weak instability may bring some very light rain at times.  A northwest wind will bring breezy conditions during the late afternoon and early evening. Surface inversion lifting around 1000 hours today. Minimal fire activity is expected today due to scattered clouds and lower temperatures.  The Fire grew 237 acres yesterday.  Unity may have hazy skies in the early evening and into the morning. Baker City, Burns, John Daly, Prairie City and Vale will have Good smoke levels today. Expect a clearing overnight with shallow fog possible near the drainage bottoms.
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
When smoke may be worse
John Day
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today.  
Baker City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today.
Burns
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today.
Sites without a monitor
Site
Today
Tomorrow
When smoke may be worse
Unity
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today with possible hazy skies in the early evening into the morning.
Prarie City
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today.
Vale
Good
Good
Expect Good smoke levels today.
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.
Air Quality Index (AQI) Levels of Health Concern
 
ACTIONS TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Good
None
Moderate
Highly smoke sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups  (USG)
People within Sensitive Groups* should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  Everyone else may find relief by limiting prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy
People within Sensitive Groups* should avoid all physical outdoor activity.  Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

* Sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women and older adults 
    Incident Air Resource Adviser Contact: Ariane Sarzotti (ariane_sarzotti@nps.gov
 
    Find the latest information on air quality here.