Pioneer Air Quality Summary- September 12

Air Quality Summary Report - Pioneer Fire      For: Monday, September 12, 2016 

ARA: John Washington (jwashington@fs.fed.us)           ARA (T): Mike McGown (McGown.Michael@epa.gov)

FIRE, WEATHER AND SMOKE SYNOPSIS Weather: A cold front moved through the area yesterday. The front will brought cooler temperatures and increased relative humidity. Further cooling is expected today. Valley winds will be out of the north at 6-9 mph, while ridge winds will be 10 - 14 mph. The inversion will break around 1200 to 1300. There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Fire Activity: Decreased temperatures, and higher relative humidity (RH) values will decrease fire activity in the late afternoon 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 22-27 percent in the lower valleys and 27-32 percent in the higher elevations.  Active surface fire with single and group tree torching can be expected. Fire in grasses will have high to very high rates of spread.

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 reduced smoke impacts today with clearing in the early-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 the Lowman.
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 (9/12/16)
Fairfield	Moderate		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Garden City	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Garden Valley  School & ICP/Helibase	Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Elevated concentrations throughout the morning but improved conditions overall.
Idaho City	Good		Moderate		Moderate		Mostly clear conditions today.
Ketchum	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Meridian	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Nampa	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Lowman	USG		USG		USG		Elevated concentrations throughout the afternoon and evening.
Stanley	Moderate		Good		Moderate		Improved air quality.
Salmon	Good		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Sites without a monitor
Site		Today		Tomorrow		Comments for Today
Lucky Peak Rec. Area		Good		Good		Mostly clear conditions today.
Centerville		Good		Good		Elevated concentrations throughout the afternoon and evening.
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly. These predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity.

 

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