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Smoke Forecasts for Chetco Bar and Blanket Creek Fires -- July 31, 2017

Smoke Outlook:  Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest           
Issued for: Monday, July 31, 2017 
Air Resource Advisor: Duncan Leao (dleao@fs.fed.us)
Carolyn Kelly (ckelly@quinault.org)


Smoke
Chetco Bar and Blanket Creek Fires - Smoke will remain in the vicinity of both fires again today, drifting to the southwest in the morning and afternoon, but remaining away from communities.  The morning inversion over the fire will break up around 10:00 am.  Air quality in communities around the fires will be good including Cave Junction, Agness, Gold Beach, and Brookings. Ashland and Medford may see moderate levels of smoke in the afternoon into the evening. Smoke will become more visible from Brookings and may drift into Northern California as far south as Gasquet.
Fire
Chetco Bar Fire -Fire activity today continues to increase, growing approximately 465 acres yesterday to 2,180 acres.  Fire activity today and tomorrow is expected to increase as a result of increased temperatures and low relative humidity.  A red flag warning is issued in the area around the fire. This may lead to increaseed smoke output around the fire vicinity.
Blanket Creek Fire - Currently at 931 acres, the Blanket Fire is expected to see more activity this week as a result of unstable atmospheric conditions.  Fire activity is expected to become active earlier in the day and later into the afternoon.

Other: Combined smoke report for Rogue-Siskiyou NF today due to regional smoke impacts from both fires
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Notes for today’s forecast
Shady Cove
Good
Good
Good
Good conditions throughout the day
Medford
Good
Good
Good
Possible periods of moderate in the afternoon
Ashland
Good
Good
Good
Possible periods of moderate in the afternoon
Grants Pass
Good
Good
Good
Good conditions throughout the day
Cave Junction
Good
Good
Good
Good conditions throughout the day
Brookings
Good
Good
Good
Smoke drift and haze will be visible.  Smoke may settle in Chetco River drainages with  periods under moderate.
Agness
Good
Good
Good
Good conditions throughout the day
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