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Smoke Forecast for Whitewater Fire, Willamette National Forest -- Aug. 5, 2017

Smoke Outlook:  Whitewater Fire, Willamette NF                        
Issued for: Saturday, August 5, 2017 
Air Resource Advisor: Duncan Leao (dleao@fs.fed.us)

Smoke:
Some lingering smoke will be visible in the vicinity of the Whitewater fire and surrounding drainages earlier in the day.  The morning inversion will begin to lift around noon and smoke from the fire is expected to drift to the east and northeast in the afternoon causing a slight improvement in air quality for Detroit area. A light southwest wind may push smoke into Warm Springs, Madras, and Sisters.  Smoke dispersion is not expected to be good due to a more stable atmoshpere. Expect downslope/down canyon settling of smoke around Detroit and Breitenbush during the evening.  Smoke impacts may shift to the west tomorrow due to changing weather.
Fire:
The fire grew approximately 200 acres yesterday for a total of 5,000 acres.  Fire activity today and tomorrow is expected to remain similar to yesterday.  Temperatures will be slightly cooler, however west and southwest winds may align with local upslope/upcanyon winds to push the fire spread east.  Isolated torching and minor spotting could occur today.
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Notes for today’s forecast
Springfield City Hall
USG
Good
Moderate
Expect improved air quality all day
Eugene Amazon Park
USG
Good
Moderate
Expect improved air quality all day
Albany Calapooia School
Moderate
Good
Moderate
Expect improved air quality all day
Salem State Hospital
Moderate
Good
Moderate
Expect improved air quality all day
Oakridge
USG
Good
Moderate
Expect improved air quality all day
Sweet Home
USG
Good
Moderate
Expect improved air quality all day
Lyons
USG
Good
USG
Expect improved air quality all day
Mill City
Unhealthy
Good
USG
Expect improved air quality all day
Detroit
Unhealthy
Moderate
USG
Lifting of morning inversion will improve air quality as day progresses
Sisters
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
May experience edge of smoke drift
Bend
Moderate
Good
Moderate
Expect improved air quality all day
Prineville
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Increased impacts winds pushing smoke into area
Madras
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Increased impact s winds pushing smoke into area
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