8/22/13 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated Noon MDT Thursday, August 22, 2013

Valid through noon MDT Friday, August 23, 2013 

 

Smoke Outlook

 

Idaho DEQ has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution the following counties

·        Camas, Blaine, and Lemhi – The Stage 1 is effective through Friday, August 23, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted.

 

Air quality has begun to improve in the Ketchum/Hailey area.  Air quality was in the moderate to good range in the morning and should remain in to the good to moderate in the afternoon.  Smoke will move back in during the night and result in the unhealthy conditions again tomorrow morning. 

 

Salmon is experiencing Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Moderate air quality due to smoke from the Thunder City Fire, which is located 4 miles east of Stibnite, Idaho.  Salmon will continue to experience moderate to unhealthy air quality for most of the day today and into tomorrow.  Air quality may improve to the moderate category for a couple of hours this afternoon before deteriorating back to the Unhealthy category.  So far, Challis has only seen light smoke impacts from the fires in central Idaho. 

 

Atlanta is experience significant smoke impacts due to the Little Queens fire, which is located north of Atlanta.  Air quality is forecasted to be in the Unhealthy for Atlanta today and tomorrow morning.

 

Sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities.  When air quality is in the hazardous category (visibility of less than 1 mile) everyone should stay indoors and avoid exertion.

 

Westerly winds will continue to transport smoke towards the east today and south-southwest winds will transport smoke towards the north-northeast tomorrow morning.  Areas close to the fires will continue to experience periods of heavy smoke impacts.  Smoke from the Incendiary fire near Kamiah in north central Idaho is expected to be transported to the southeast; however, tonight the smoke should drain down valley and settle in the lower valleys.

 

6 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:

 

·        DEQ has installed monitors in Mountain Home, Fairfield, Ketchum, and east Boise. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o   Fairfield – #Idaho1000

o   Mountain Home - #Idaho1002

o   Ketchum - #Idaho1005

o   Boise - #Idaho1003

·        The USFS installed monitors in Atlanta and Challis.  The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl

o   Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13

o   Challis monitor is Smoke#21

o   Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

 

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

 

Visit the Idaho Smoke Information Blog at: www.idsmoke.blogspot.com

 

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

 

 

AQA Remains in Effect for the Clearwater River Corridor on the Nez Perce Reservation

Thursday, August 22, 2013; 10:00am

 

Description of Air Quality Event:

Wildfire smoke from the Incendiary Creek and Lolo Creek Complex Fires continues to impact communities along the Clearwater River Corridor from Lenore to Stites on the Nez Perce Reservation. The Air Quality Advisory remains in effect for this area through 10:00am Friday, August 23^rd, 2013.

Conditions over the next few days are forecasted to bring wildfire smoke into our region. Smoke may 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:        

Clearwater River Corridor from Lenore to Stites on the Nez Perce Reservation.

 

AQI Category:          

Air quality is currently in the “Moderate” category for this area, but may move into the

“Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category. See health-related information below. Also, visit the

Idaho Smoke Information Blog at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/.

 

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 Friday, August 23^rd, 2013.  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

 

Air Quality Advisory for the Clearwater River Corridor on the Nez Perce Reservation

 

Date/Time:	Wednesday, August  21, 2013, 10:00am
Description of Air Quality Event:	Wildfire smoke from the Incendiary Creek and Lolo Creek Complex Fires is impacting communities along the Clearwater River Corridor from Lenore to Stites on the Nez Perce Reservation. Conditions over the next few days are forecasted to bring wildfire smoke into our region. An Air Quality Advisory is issued for this area through 10:00am Thursday, August 22nd, 2013. Wildfire smoke may 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:	Clearwater River Corridor from to Lenore to Stites on the Nez Perce Reservation.
AQI Category:	Air quality is currently in the “Moderate” category for this area, but may move into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category. See health-related information below. Also, see the Idaho Smoke Information Blog at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/.
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 Thursday, August 22nd, 2013.  Conditions will be reassessed at that time.

 

AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
AQI	Air Quality Category	Health Advisory
0-50	Good	None.
51-100	Moderate	Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
101-150	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
151-200	Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
201-300	Very Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
301-500	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

 

8/21/13 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated Noon MDT Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Valid through noon MDT Thursday, August 22, 2013 

Smoke Outlook

Idaho DEQ has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution the following counties

·         Camas, Blaine, and Lemhi – The Stage 1 is effective through Friday, August 23, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted.

The Ketchum/Hailey area is continuing to experiencing Very Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality in the morning due to smoke from the Beaver Creek fire.  Significant smoke impacts are expected to continue in the Ketchum/Hailey area through tomorrow morning.  Air quality will improve during the afternoon hours before smoke moves back in during the night.  Air quality is forecasted to be in the Unhealthy with periods in the Hazardous for Ketchum/Hailey and moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups for other areas in the central Idaho mountains near the fires.

Salmon is experiencing Unhealthy air quality due to smoke from the Thunder City Fire, which is located 4 miles east of Stibnite, Idaho.  Salmon will continue to experience unhealthy air quality for most of the day today.  Air quality may improve to the moderate category for a couple of hours this afternoon before deteriorating back to the Unhealthy category.  So far, Challis has not been impacted by smoke from the fires in central Idaho.  Salmon is forecasted to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy today.

Atlanta is beginning to experience significant smoke impacts due to the Little Queens fire, which is located north of Atlanta.  Air quality is forecasted to be in the Unhealthy for Atlanta today and tomorrow morning.

Sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities.  When air quality is in the hazardous category (visibility of less than 1 mile) everyone should stay indoors and avoid exertion.

Light west winds will continue to transport smoke towards the east today and tomorrow morning.  However, the smoke will not be transported very far from the fires before the evening inversion sets up which will bring the smoke back down to the surface.  Smoke from the Incendiary fire near Kamiah in north central Idaho is expected to be transported to the southeast; however, tonight the smoke should drain down valley and settle in the lower valleys.

7 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:

·         DEQ has installed monitors in Mountain Home, Fairfield, Ketchum, and east Boise. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Fairfield – #Idaho1000

o    Mountain Home - #Idaho1002

o    Ketchum - #Idaho1005

o    Boise - #Idaho1003

·         The USFS installed monitors in Lowman, Atlanta, and Challis.  The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl

o    Lowman monitor is Smoke#19 – monitor currently is not functioning properly, the data is not considered valid

o    Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13

o    Challis monitor is Smoke#21

o    Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

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

Visit the Idaho Smoke Information Blog at: www.idsmoke.blogspot.com

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

Wildfire Smoke Advisory

As we move into late summer here in North Central Idaho, we are also moving into the time of year that wildfires will be increasing. That means that wildfire smoke and the impact on air quality is going to become a concern. Other areas of the state, such as Sun Valley and Treasure Valley have already had air quality conditions deteriorate due to wildfires and wildfire smoke.

People exposed to smoke may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Older adults, infants, children and people with medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart disease are often more affected. People who use inhalers for asthma or other conditions should keep them close at hand. People are advised to seek medical treatment for uncontrolled coughing, wheezing, choking, or if they have difficulty breathing once they move back indoors.

To reduce your exposure to smoke and protect your health, public health officials advise:

• Everyone should avoid heavy work or exercise outdoors when the air quality index reaches unhealthy levels.

• Older adults, small children, and those with respiratory conditions or heart disease may be more sensitive to poor air quality and should stay indoors and avoid heavy work when air quality reaches unhealthy levels.

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps dilute phlegm in the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough out smoke particles. Plan on coughing; it is nature's way of clearing your lungs. Avoid caffeine products, sugary drinks and alcohol because they have a dehydrating effect.

• Stay cool if the weather is warm. Run your air conditioner to recirculate air. Turn the fan blower on manually so it continuously filters the air in your home.

• For homes without a central heating and/or cooling system, use portable air purifiers to remove particles. Air purifiers that utilize HEPA filters are best; avoid using air purifiers that produce ozone. Visit areas in your community that have air conditioning, such as a library.

• If you wear contact lenses, switch to eyeglasses in a smoky environment.

Not all areas of the state have air quality monitors, so people are encouraged to be cautious if visibility is affected because of smoke and particulates from wildfires. If visibility is reduced to less than eight miles, sensitive groups should limit activity. If visibility is reduced to less than three miles, air quality is considered unhealthy for everyone.

Daily updates on air quality conditions at various locations in Idaho are available on DEQ's Air Quality Reports and Forecasts webpage. For areas where air quality monitors are not available, the Visibility Range and AQI Table can help determine the necessary precautions to take. For more complete information about wildfires in your area visit the Idaho Smoke Information Blog at http://www.idsmoke.blogspot.com/.

For more information in north central Idaho on wildfire smoke, air quality or potential health impacts of wildfire smoke, you may also contact: Amber Rand, Air Quality Manager with the Department of Environmental Quality at 208-799-4370; Julie Simpson, Air Quality Program Coordinator with the Nez Perce Tribe at 800-720-4089; or Ed Marugg, Environmental Health Director with Public Health-Idaho North Central District at 208-799-0356.