09/26/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 1000am MDT Friday, September 26, 2014

Valid through Noon MDT Monday, September 29, 2014

Smoke Outlook

The areas of concern today will be focused on the Clearwater Drainage where heavy smoke was visible within the drainages on yesterday’s visible satellite imagery.  Smoke impacts were relatively local yesterday as all of DEQ’s monitors were in the Good category for the 24hr AQI except for McCall, which was in the Moderate category, and the temporary monitor in Lowell, which was in the Very Unhealthy category.

Latest satellite imagery clearly shows the upper level trough beginning to dive south and is splitting from the upper level low pressure system currently located off the coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands.  There is a chance for morning showers across the central and southwest parts of southern Idaho early this morning with a dry period before showers return late this evening. Skies are expected to be partly cloudy all day as isolated to scattered showers develop this morning before clearing some, then showers again late in the afternoon.  Surface wind speeds will be between 5-15 mph with northwest flow in the Southwest and Middle Snake River Plain with southwest flow across the rest of Southern Idaho.  Transport wind speed is forecast to be in the range of 10-15 mph.  Transport wind direction is forecast to be south-southwest.  This weekend looks to have persistent showery weather across all of Idaho from I-90 south to the NV/UT border on both Saturday and Sunday.  Northerly winds dominate the surface landscape on Saturday while easterly winds develop on Sunday over the Clearwater Basin with speeds ranging from 5-10 mph.  This weather is favorable for limiting fire activity and smoke development; however, it also promotes low-hanging smoke in low elevation regions and drainages.  This pattern persists into Monday as one upper level low pressure systems tracks east; another system will approach the Washington Coast, near Vancouver Island.

Smoke impacts today will be focused on the Central Idaho Mountains with smoke forecast to cover Idaho north of a line running from McCall to Salmon all the way to Sandpoint.  Light surface winds and an upper level split flow pattern will promote limited dispersion as well as limited transport.  Fires in California received some precipitation last night which should help to limit smoke production.  By Saturday, the limited movement of the atmosphere will continue promote stagnant conditions with limited dispersion coupled with a northerly wind shift, residual smoke is forecast to entrain to the south.  Smoke is forecast to cover a region ranging from the Treasure Valley north to Sandpoint.  On Sunday, coupled with the easterly wind shift, impacts are forecast to stay north of the Salmon River to the Idaho Canada border.  There is a chance for light impacts draining that evening into the Treasure Valley and east to Mountain Home.

DEQ has installed a monitor in Riggins. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

DEQ has installed a monitor in Lowell. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Riggins monitor is #1001

o    Lowell monitor is #1002

View real time smoke monitoring at:  http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires

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

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  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

09/25/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 1000am MDT Thursday, September 25, 2014

Valid through Noon MDT Friday, September 26, 2014

Smoke Outlook

The areas of concern today will be focused on the Clearwater Drainage as well as the Lower Snake River Plain late this afternoon.  It should be noted that widespread haze and light smoke aloft is forecast across all of western Idaho and north to the Canadian border.  Smoke impacts were relatively local yesterday as all of DEQ’s monitors were in the Good category for the 24hr AQI except for Potlatch, Cottonwood, and Boise.  The temporary monitor in Riggins was also in the Good category while the temporary monitor in Lowell was in the Very Unhealthy category.

The upper level ridge pattern will be oriented from southwest to northeast along a line running from New Mexico through Nebraska and into South Dakota while an upper level low pressure system resides over British Columbia with an elongated trough running down the coast to California.  This will continue to bring dry conditions with warm southwest flow over southern Idaho; however a cold front will begin to enter northern Idaho this morning/afternoon and southern Idaho late this afternoon-around 5 or 6pm.  It is not out of the question to see isolated showers across northern Idaho this afternoon; however most of the organized precipitation looks to occur later this evening.  Skies are expected to be mostly sunny all day with mostly cloudy skies from Lewiston east to Kamiah and north to the Canadian border.  Surface wind speeds will be between 8-12 mph with south-southwest flow in the Southwest SMA outside of the Treasure Valley while wind speeds are much stronger across the rest of southern Idaho with sustained speeds from 10-25 mph and gusts to 30 mph with spots along the Lost River Range reaching 35-40 mph.  Mixing heights are forecast to be between 3,000-8,000 feet AGL.  Transport wind speed is forecast to be in the range of 10-30 mph.  Transport wind direction is forecast to be south-southwest.  Northern Idaho is forecast to have a slightly more zonal component today with speeds from 8-12 mph this afternoon. 

Smoke impacts today will be focused on late afternoon transport of the King Fire in California into southwest Idaho.  Widespread light smoke looks to cover Idaho ranging west of a line running from Mountain Home to Missoula and into Canada.  Finally, smoke within the Clearwater drainage is forecast to linger today before pushing to the northeast late this afternoon/evening.

 DEQ has installed a monitor in Riggins. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx
 DEQ has installed a monitor in Lowell. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Riggins monitor is #1001

o    Lowell monitor is #1002

View real time smoke monitoring at:  http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires

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

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  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

Air Quality Advisory Lifted for the Nez Perce Reservation

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

 

Description of Air Quality Event:

Air quality has improved throughout the Nez Perce Reservation.  The Air Quality Advisory is lifted.  Although air quality conditions have improved, wildfire smoke may continue to move in and out of the area. Some areas may be more impacted than others, so please take appropriate precautions.

Affected Areas:      

All areas on the Nez Perce Reservation.

AQI Category:

Air quality is in the “Good” category of the Air Quality Index.

Restrictions:           

No restrictions.

 

AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
Air Quality Category	Health Advisory
Good	None.
Moderate	Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Hazardous	Everyone should avoid any exertion. Sensitive people should remain indoors.

 

Sensitive groups include infants, children, pregnant women, elders, people who have high exposure (those who work, exercise, or spend extensive time outdoors), and those with existing health conditions or chronic diseases like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, heart disease, or diabetes.

 

Nez Perce Tribe ERWM Air Quality Program

208-843-9381 | 1-800-720-4089

airquality@nezperce.org | www.nezperce.org

 

 

09/23/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 1000am MDT Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Valid through Noon MDT Thursday, September 25, 2014

Smoke Outlook

The areas of concern today will be focused on the Clearwater Drainage as well as the Lower Snake River Plain late this afternoon.  The Idaho Panhandle north of I-90 may also see some haze this evening.  It should be noted that widespread haze and light smoke loft is forecast across all of Idaho.  Smoke impacts were relatively local yesterday as all of DEQ’s monitors were in the Good category for the 24hr AQI except for Lewiston, Grangeville, Kendrick, and St. Maries.  The temporary monitor in Riggins was also in the Moderate category while the temporary monitor in Lowell was in the Very Unhealthy category.

A southwest flow sets up over Idaho as an upper level ridge develops over the Great Basin this afternoon.  This will mark the start of a period defined by dry weather and warm temperatures.  This pattern is likely to persist through Thursday morning when a quasi-stationary upper level trough begins to track east across northern Idaho.  This trough will split from the jet stream on Friday, allowing an upper level closed low to settle over California.  Skies are expected to be mostly cloudy in the Southwest and partly to mostly sunny across the rest of Idaho.  Any precipitation will be limited to the McCall area and the Central Idaho Mountains with light rain very early this morning/late last night.  Surface wind speeds are forecast to be between 5-10 mph and 10-15 mph across the Central Idaho Mountains with southeast flow across the Lower Snake and south-southwest winds across southern Idaho while northern Idaho has a slightly more zonal component resulting in a west-southwest surface wind once the inversions lift.  Mixing heights are forecast to be between 3,000-7,500 feet AGL.  Transport wind speed is forecast to be in the range of 10-15 mph.  Transport wind direction is forecast to be south-southwest. 

Smoke impacts today will be focused on late afternoon transport of the King Fire in California into southwest Idaho.  North of I-90 will also experience some smoke and haze all the way north to the border, particularly in the Purcell Trench.  Also likely will be nocturnal drainage of smoke across the lower elevation points in the Clearwater Basin.

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

·         DEQ has installed a monitor in Riggins. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

·         DEQ has installed a monitor in Lowell. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Riggins monitor is Idaho1001

o    Lowell monitor is Idaho1002

View real time smoke monitoring at:  http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  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

Idaho DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Caution is Lifted

DEQ is lifting an Air Quality Forecast & Caution Date/Time Issued: Tuesday, September 23, 2014/10:00 a.m. Next Update: No further updates

Air quality conditions have returned to the Good or lower Moderate category as a result of last night’s precipitation.  The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is lifting the Air Quality Forecast and Caution for the following areas (off the Nez Perce Tribal Reservation) in Latah, Nez Perce, Idaho, Lewis, and Clearwater Counties.  Air quality is currently in the GOOD category and is forecast to remain in the Good to lower Moderate category for the next few days.  DEQ will continue to monitor smoke and fire activity throughout the region. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is good, air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

Currently there are no outdoor burning restrictions.  Open burning is allowed in accordance with the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.600-624).

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Lewiston at (208) 799-4370. For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov. For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

Range Category Meaning 0 to 50 Good Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk 51 to 100 Moderate Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. 101 to 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. 151 to 200 Unhealthy Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. 301 to 500 Hazardous Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

For more information on the AQI, read EPA’s AQI brochure at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.

* Sensitive groups for particulate matter include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children. Sensitive groups for ozone include those with lung disease, older adults, and children.

 

 

 

 

Idaho DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Caution

DEQ is extending an Air Quality Forecast & Caution Date/Time Issued: Monday, September 22, 2014/10:00 a.m. Next Update: Tuesday, September 23, 2014/10:00 a.m.

Due to smoke from regional wildfire activity, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an Air Quality Forecast and Caution to notify residents of the following areas (off the Nez Perce Tribal Reservation) in Latah, Nez Perce, Idaho, Lewis, and Clearwater Counties of degraded air quality.  Air quality is currently in the MODERATE category and is forecast to remain in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category for the next few days.    The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, sensitive persons* may experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. The general public is unlikely to be affected.

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550).

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Lewiston at (208) 799-4370. For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov. For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

Range Category Meaning 0 to 50 Good Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk 51 to 100 Moderate Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. 101 to 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. 151 to 200 Unhealthy Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. 301 to 500 Hazardous Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

For more information on the AQI, read EPA’s AQI brochure at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.

* Sensitive groups for particulate matter include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children. Sensitive groups for ozone include those with lung disease, older adults, and children.