8/06/13 DEQ smoke forecast

Even though there are several wildfires burning in Idaho, as well as in Oregon, Washington, and Montana, almost all areas in Idaho have remained in the Good air quality range yesterday.  The exception to this is Lowman.  Lowman experienced a few hours of Moderate air quality during the early morning hours.  However, by mid-morning, the air quality returned to the Good range.

Today, wind directions across the state are generally from the west-southwest, with northwest winds in the Treasure and Magic Valleys. Transport winds will be light at 8-15 mph.  Areas to the east of fires, as well as drainage basins, will experience light smoke impacts.  However, during the day, any wildfire smoke in the valleys should mix out. 

All areas of Idaho are forecasted to remain in the Good air quality for today.  Lowman is currently experiencing Moderate air quality again this morning.  However, the smoke is expected to clear out by mid-morning and the remainder of the day should be Good air quality.

4 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:

  -  DEQ installed a monitor in Challis for the Lodgepole fire. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/ Choose monitor #Idaho1004
  -  The USFS installed monitors in Lowman, Atlanta, Challis.  The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl

• Lowman monitor is Smoke#19

• Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13

• Challis monitor is Smoke#21 – co-located with DEQ’s monitor

• Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

 

Seven large wildfires are now burning in Idaho.  All fires showed very little activity yesterday.  Therefore, smoke production was light.

Fire Name	Location	Start Date/Cause	Current Size (acres)
Ridge fire	15 miles north of Lowman	July 16 by lightning	5,270
Lodgepole fire	10 miles west of Challis	July 20 by lightning	20,325
Gold Pan Complex	35 miles southwest of Conner, MT in the Bitterroot National Forest	July 16 by lightning	16,342
Papoose Fire	40 miles west of Salmon	July 8 by lightning	9,474
Crescendo	22 miles south of Avery, ID		1,100
Thunder City fire	4 miles northeast of Stibnite, ID	July 19 by lightning	1,533
Mabey fire	5 miles northeast of Bancroft	August 5 - unknown	867

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  Communities nearby active fires may experience periods of air quality which are Moderate (visibility of 6-10 miles).  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1