Air Quality Summary Report - Pioneer Fire For: Monday, September 5, 2016

Air Quality Summary Report - Pioneer Fire             For: Monday, September 5, 2016 

ARA: Mark Fitch (mark_fitch@nps.gov)                                ARA (T): Eric Dobbs (eric.dobbs@freshfromflorida.com)

FIRE, WEATHER AND SMOKE SYNOPSIS Weather:  Slightly drier conditions will be seen this afternoon, diminishing the chance for showers and reducing cloud cover slightly.  A trough axis will transition across the region today, causing weak north-northwesterly winds early this morning to shift to a westerly direction by late morning and throughout the rest of the day.  Overall, wind speeds will be relatively weak near the surface and aloft with transport winds primarily out of the west this afternoon.  Up-canyon winds will be around 4 – 7 mph after 1:00pm while ridge winds will be a 7 - 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph over exposed ridges.  Inversion will break between 1pm and 2pm. Fire Activity:  Yesterday, the fire grew 80 acres putting the current interpreted size to 181,145 acres.  Cloud cover, weak wind speeds, and moderate RH values will limit fire activity this afternoon.  The most active fire activity will be seen north of HWY 17 and HWY 21 in the Clear Creek, Deadwood, and Bear Valley drainages. Relative humidity (RH) values will be around 25 – 30 percent in lower valleys and 35 – 40 percent in high elevations.  Grass and shrub fuels will be active for uphill runs in valley locations.  Wind/slope alignment may result in moderate spread rates; however significant spread rates are not expected due to low-level moisture and weak winds. Smoke Summary:  Smoke will concentrate in the low valleys this morning and mix down to the surface for much of the day.  The majority of areas will see clearing in the mid-to-late afternoon hours as daytime mixing peaks.  Smoke will begin to settle into the valleys in the mid-to-late morning hours with the biggest impacts for areas northeast, east, and directly south of the fire. Today, the most significant smoke impacts will be to Lowman, Stanley, and Garden Valley.
Air Quality Outlook  (smoke related)
Sites with air quality monitors (based on concentration PM 2.5 µg/m^3 24-hr avg.)
Site	Yesterday		Today		Tomorrow		Comments for Today (9/5/16)
Fairfield	Good		Good		Good		Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Garden City	Good		Good		Good		Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Garden Valley  School & ICP/Helibase	Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Highest concentrations in early to mid afternoon.
Idaho City	Good		Good		Moderate		Elevated surface concentrations in the morning and mid afternoon, clearing by early evening.
Ketchum	Good		Good		Moderate		Mostly clean air throughout the day with possible high-level haze.
Meridian	Good		Good		Good		Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Nampa	Good		Good		Good		Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Lowman	USG		USG		USG		Elevated concentrations throughout gradually decreasing by late afternoon.
Stanley	USG		Moderate		Moderate		Increasing smoke over the next couple of days in morning and early afternoon hours
Salmon	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Sites without a monitor
Site		Today		Tomorrow		Comments for Today
Lucky Peak Rec. Area		Good		Moderate		Possible hazy conditions in the mornings today and tomorrow due to the push from northerly flow.
Centerville		Moderate		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