Pioneer Air Quality Summary- September 10

Air Quality Summary Report - Pioneer Fire             For: Friday, September 10, 2016 

ARA: John Washington (jwashington@fs.fed.us)

FIRE, WEATHER AND SMOKE SYNOPSIS Weather: Warmer and drier conditions will continue today. Wind speeds will be similar near the surface and aloft with transport winds primarily out of the southwest. Up-canyon winds will be around 4 – 7 mph, while ridge winds will be 10 - 15 mph over exposed ridges. The inversion will break between 11am and 1pm. A dry cold front will enter the area on Sunday bringing cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity. Fire Activity: Increased temperatures, and lower relative humidity (RH) values will increase fire activity today.  The most active fire activity will be seen north of HWY 17 and HWY 21 in the Warm Springs, Deadwood, and Bear Valley drainages. RH values will be around 15-20 percent in the lower valleys and 20-25 percent in the higher elevations.  Active surface fire with single and group tree torching can be expected. Wind/slope alignment may result in moderate spread rates.

Smoke Summary:  Smoke will concentrate in the low valleys this morning, then 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 again settle into the valleys in the overnight hours. Today, the most significant smoke impacts will be to Garden Valley, Lowman and Stanley.
 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 (9/10/16)
Fairfield	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Garden City	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Garden Valley  School & ICP/Helibase	Moderate		Unhealthy		USG		Elevated concentrations throughout the afternoon and evening.
Idaho City	Moderate		Good		Moderate		Mostly clear conditions today.
Ketchum	Good		Good		Moderate		Mostly clear conditions today.
Meridian	Good		Good		Good		Possible haze in the mid to late morning.  Clearing after inversion lift.
Nampa	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Lowman	Moderate		Unhealthy		USG		Elevated concentrations throughout the afternoon and evening.
Stanley	Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Elevated concentrations throughout the afternoon and evening.
Salmon	Good		Good		Moderate		Mostly clear conditions today.
Sites without a monitor
Site		Today		Tomorrow		Comments for Today
Lucky Peak Rec. Area		Good		Moderate		Mostly clear conditions today.
Centerville		Good		Moderate		Elevated concentrations throughout the afternoon and evening.
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