Pioneer Fire Air Quality Summary Report for August 12 - Note Updated Conditions for Garden Valley and Idaho City

UPDATES/CHANGES to Below Forecast:  Idaho City and Garden Valley are currently experiencing USG and Unhealthy Conditions as noted by monitoring data as of 1245 today. FIRE, WEATHER AND SMOKE SYNOPSIS Weather:  There will be continued warming and drying trends through today and into the weekend.  Winds will be coming from the northwest ranging from 8-12 mph on the ridges with gusts to 18 mph.  Up canyon winds will become evident in the afternoon with a lifting inversion layer. Fire Activity:   Today’s fire activity will be similar as yesterdays with terrain and increasing winds as main factors today.   Fire behavior may include group torching and spotting leading to increased spread.  Burn out operations may take place to improve suppression efforts.

Smoke Summary: Smoke from the Pioneer and adjacent fires is likely to drift into areas around Fairfield, Ketchum, Treasure Valley, and possibly Stanley late this afternoon and through tomorrow as a result of NW winds. The potential for increased fire activity may lead to additional smoke settling into nearby river valleys.  Winds will not be strong enough to carry significant smoke away from nearby communities (Lowman and Garden Valley) until early afternoon. 

Sites with air quality monitors  (based on Air Quality Index for each 24-hr day)
Site	Yesterday		Today		Tomorrow		Smoke Notes
Fairfield	Good		Moderate		Moderate		Conditions approaching USG late tonight.
Garden City	Good		Good		Good		Light haze from fires in the region
Garden Valley	60		Moderate		Moderate		May see USG as smoke settles in the river valley late in the afternoon and into the evening.
Idaho City	18		Good		Good		May see Moderate later this morning then again in evening.
Ketchum	25		Good		Good		Smoke drift approaching Moderate late this afternoon/night
Meridian	15		Good		Good		Light haze from fires in the region.
Nampa	66		Good		Good		Light haze from fires in the region
Lowman	Unknown		USG		USG		Unhealthy through the morning, some clearing after noon.
Stanley	Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		May see USG as smoke drifts in early evening
Sites without a monitor
Site		Today		Tomorrow		Smoke Notes
Lucky Peak Rec. Area		Good		Good		Moderate later this evening and early tomorrow morning
Garden Valley ICP/Helibase		Moderate		Moderate		USG early morning as smoke stagnates in valley.  Possible USG again into the evening as smoke settles down canyon.
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/

Real time monitoring data – circles and triangles correspond to color-coded Air Quality Index: http://smoke.airfire.org/monitoringReport/#/?date=LATEST&productType=plotTable