DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Caution

DEQ is extending an Air Quality Forecast & Caution Date/Time Issued: Tuesday, September 16, 2014/12:00 p.m. Next Update: Wednesday, September 17, 2014/10:00 a.m.

Due to smoke from regional wildfire activity, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an Air Quality Forecast and Caution to notify residents of the following areas (off the Nez Perce Tribal Reservation) in Latah, Nez Perce, Idaho, Lewis, and Clearwater Counties of degraded air quality.  Air quality is currently in the MODERATE category and is forecast to remain in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category over the next few days.  Conditions could become elevated to Unhealthly category at times depending on fire activity. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, sensitive persons* may experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. The general public is unlikely to be affected.

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550).

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Lewiston at (208) 799-4370. For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov. For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

Range Category Meaning 0 to 50 Good Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk 51 to 100 Moderate Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. 101 to 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. 151 to 200 Unhealthy Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. 301 to 500 Hazardous Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

For more information on the AQI, read EPA’s AQI brochure at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.

* Sensitive groups for particulate matter include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children. Sensitive groups for ozone include those with lung disease, older adults, and children.

09/16/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 1000am MDT Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Valid through Noon MDT Thursday, September 18, 2014

Smoke Outlook

The areas of concern continue to be in the Clearwater Basin due to the proximity of local fires, there is transport of smoke from fires burning in California that is advecting into the southwest portion of the state.  Smoke from fires in Oregon is impacting the northern part of Idaho.  Smoke impacts were limited to regions close to fires as DEQ’s monitors were slightly elevated and in the Good and Moderate categories yesterday; however, the Grangeville area experienced a 24hr AQI of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

The upper level ridge currently centered over Idaho will be suppressed today as an upper level disturbance will traverse the ridge this morning from the Oregon Coast and eventually pass over northern Idaho this afternoon.  This will provide the opportunity for isolated afternoon thunderstorms and showers.  Surface winds across the Clearwater drainage looks to be from the south with a southwest component along a corridor running from the confluence of the Snake and Salmon to the Clearwater confluence while farther east, surface winds look to be from the south-southeast.  Conditions will be similar on Wednesday with a tightening of the surface pressure gradient as a cold front approaches late Wednesday night into Thursday.  As such, there remains a chance for breezy and gusty winds across the higher elevations in the Central Idaho Mountains.  The Clearwater looks to remain under rather light wind conditions with variable wind directions.

Smoke impacts today will continue to be strongest across the Clearwater with locally heavy impacts near fires with some light transport into central and north Idaho.  Smoke will settle into the drainages again this evening.  Smoke from fires in California will bring light smoke through the Snake River Plain.  Higher values should be expected in the morning before the inversion breaks.  Smoke from fires burning in Washington and Oregon will be transported into the Panhandle and Central regions, respectively once more this afternoon. A brief pattern change will occur on Thursday, but by Friday, another upper level ridge is forecast to develop in the same region and persist into next Tuesday.

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Caution

DEQ Issues Air Quality Advisory for North Central Idaho 09-15-2014 to 09-16-2014

 

DEQ is issuing an

Air Quality Forecast & Caution

Date/Time Issued: Monday, September 15, 2014/12:00 p.m. Next Update: Tuesday, September 16, 2014/10:00 a.m.

 

 

Due to smoke from regional wildfire activity, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an Air Quality Forecast and Caution to notify residents of the following areas (off the Nez Perce Tribal Reservation) in Latah, Nez Perce, Idaho, Lewis, and Clearwater Counties of degraded air quality. Air quality is currently in the MODERATE category and is forecast to remain in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category over the next few days. Conditions could become elevated to Unhealthly category at times depending on fire activity. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

 

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, sensitive persons* may experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. The

general public is unlikely to be affected.

 

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550).

 

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Lewiston at (208) 799-4370.

For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov.

For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

 

Air Quality Index (AQI):

 

Range	Category	Meaning
0 to 50	Good	Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk
51 to 100	Moderate	Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
101 to 150	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
151 to 200	Unhealthy	Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
201 to 300	Very Unhealthy	Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
301 to 500	Hazardous	Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

For more information on the AQI, read EPA’s AQI brochure at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.

 

* Sensitive groups for particulate matter include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children. Sensitive groups for ozone include those with lung disease, older adults, and children.

 

Air Quality Advisory on the Nez Perce Reservation

Monday, September 15^th, 2014

 

Description of Air Quality Event:

Due to wildfire smoke in our area, an Air Quality Advisory is now in effect for the Nez Perce Reservation.  Smoke may continue to move in and out of the area during the day and overnight; some places may be more impacted than others, so please take appropriate precautions. 

Affected Areas:      

All areas on the Nez Perce Reservation.

AQI Category:

Air quality is trending toward the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category for most areas of the Reservation.  Some areas, such as the Clearwater River Corridor from Stites to Lenore, may reach the “Unhealthy” category. See health-related information below.

Restrictions:           

No EPA/NPT burn permits will be approved. This action does not apply to camping and

recreational fires or fires set for cultural or traditional purposes (FARR General Rule for Open Burning, Section 49.131).

Next Update:          

These restrictions are in effect through 10:00am Tuesday, September 16^th, 2014. Conditions will be reassessed at that time.

 

AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
Air Quality Category	Health Advisory
Good	None.
Moderate	Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Hazardous	Everyone should avoid any exertion. Sensitive people should remain indoors.

 

Sensitive groups include infants, children, pregnant women, elders, people who have high exposure (those who work, exercise, or spend extensive time outdoors), and those with existing health conditions or chronic diseases like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, heart disease, or diabetes.

 

Nez Perce Tribe ERWM Air Quality Program

208-843-9381 | 1-800-720-4089

airquality@nezperce.org | www.nezperce.org