Skip to main content

Sept. 2 Air Quality Report for Gap Fire -- Klamath National Forest

 
Fire Information:  Fire is 18,862 acres and grew approximately 477 acres since 9/1/16.  The fire continues to grow to the north towards the Pacific Crest trail and to the south towards the Klamath River.  Construction of containment lines continues to progress along the west and northwest side of the fire.  The fire is 10% contained.  Crews will continue to use containment lines from recent fires (Beaver fire 2014 & Goff fire 2012) and will build contingency lines south of highway 96.                                                                                   Weather and Smoke Information:  A low pressure system off the pacific coast will keep a dry northwest flow over the region. Transport winds are expected out of the northwest today and through the weekend. Interstate 5 may continue to be impacted by smoke from Weed to Yreka and may affect visibility.   Smoke monitors are in place and more are in the process of being ordered. Yreka, Oak Knoll, and Fort Jones are expected to see Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy levels of smoke. Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, Klamath Falls and Orleans are expected get a break from the smoke through the weekend and should see Good levels of smoke.  
 
Smoke Impacts from Local Fires
Site
 Observed
Midnight-Midnight
Sept. 1, 2016
Forecast
Sept. 02, 2016
    Outlook
Sept. 03, 2016
Worst Time of Day Impacts
AQI and Period
Good
Good
Good
May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Medford
Good
Good
Good
May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Ashland
Moderate
Good
Good
May see Moderate smoke levels from 12:00PM to 4:00PM.
 
Klamath Falls
Good
Good
Good
May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Oak Knoll RS
 
Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
Monitor setup less than 24 hours ago, awaiting a full 24 hours of reporting for AQI values
Yreka
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
May see Very Unhealthy smoke levels from 11:00AM to 6:00PM
Fort Jones
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
May see Very Unhealthy smoke levels overnight and into the day.
Orleans
Good
Good
Good
May see hazy skies in the evening and overnight.
Colors displayed above correspond roughly with the AQI chart below. 
Conditions may change quickly, these projections are based on anticipated weather and fire activity.  Sensitive groups including individuals with Asthma, lung or heart disease, children, older adults, and pregnant women should take precautions to avoid exposure to smoke. If you feel as though you are having health effects from smoke see your doctor or health professional as needed. In some cases your eyes are your best tools, if it is smoky outside you are being impacted. Use caution when driving in or around smoky areas.
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
Forecast conditions represent impacts from smoke.  Contributions from ozone and other pollutants are not reflected.
Links: California Smoke Blog - http://californiasmokeinfo.blogspot.com/