Pioneer Fire August 31, 2016

FIRE, WEATHER AND SMOKE SYNOPSIS Weather:  A broad upper-level low will approach the western Canadian coast Wednesday morning, prompting southwesterly winds aloft and at the surface with increased wind speeds in the mid-to-upper levels.  Cloud cover is expected with a slight chance for rain; morning clouds clearing in the afternoon.  Winds: Up-canyon 4 – 7 mph gusts to 12 after 1:00pm.  Ridges: Southwesterly 14-18 mph gusts to 23.  Strongest winds in south-to-north oriented valleys.  Inversion will break between 1pm and 2pm.  Expect southwesterly transport winds 15 – 20 mph throughout the day today.  Expect smoke plume transport to the northeast. Fire Activity:  Active fire behavior due to low RH values expected to continue north of highway 17 in the Clear Creek, Deadwood, Scott Creek, Bear Valley, Lorenzo Creek, and Rough Creek drainages and Deadwood Ridge where winds and slope align. South of HWY 21 east of Lowman, active fire activity is expected in the Crooked River drainage area.  Grass and shrub fuels will be active for uphill runs in valley locations.  Wind/slope alignment will result in moderate to high spread rates.  Fire will be more active around the Clear Creek drainage and Deadwood Creek drainage areas.  Active fire behavior is expected through tomorrow. Smoke Summary:  Smoke will concentrate in the low valleys this morning and mix down to the surface for much of the day before lightening in the late afternoon hours.  Today, the most significant smoke impacts will be to Lowman, Stanley, and Garden Valley.  Elevated smoke plumes from the Pioneer and adjacent fires may affect Salmon and local areas.  Challis will see clear air for most of the day.
Air Quality Outlook  (smoke related)
Sites with air quality monitors (based on concentration PM 2.5 µg/m3 24-hr avg.)
Site	Yesterday		Today		Tomorrow		Comments for Today (8/31/16)
Fairfield	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear throughout the day.  Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Garden City	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear throughout the day.   Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Garden Valley  School & ICP/Helibase	Unhealthy		Unhealthy		USG		Smoke in late morning through mid-afternoon before clearing in late afternoon hours.
Idaho City	Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Elevated surface concentrations in the afternoon, clearing by early evening.
Ketchum	Good		Good		Moderate		Mostly clean air throughout the day with possible high-level haze.
Meridian	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear throughout the day.   Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Nampa	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear throughout the day.   Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Lowman	Unhealthy		Unhealthy		USG		Expect periods of high-level smoke impacts clearing by late afternoon.
Stanley	Good		Good		Moderate		Clear most of the day with light haze appearing late afternoon.
Salmon	Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Elevated smoke concentrations late morning through mid-afternoon, clearing by early evening.
Sites without a monitor
Site		Today		Tomorrow		Comments for Today
Lucky Peak Rec. Area		Good		Good		Conditions improving, but smoke haze will be visible
Centerville		USG		Moderate		Morning and early afternoon smoke impacts.
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly. These predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity.

USG – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Other Websites with Smoke Related Information

For areas without a monitor use the Visibility method to help protect your health from Smoke: https://nmtracking.org

Information about Wildfire Smoke and Your Health: http://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/

                                        

Idaho Smoke Blog: https://idsmoke.blogspot.com