Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation

Monday, September 22^nd,  2014

 

Description of Air Quality Event:

Wildfire smoke from the Johnson Bar Fire continues to impact communities on the Nez Perce Reservation.  Therefore, the Air Quality Advisory will remain in effect.  Wildfire smoke may continue to move in and out of the area throughout the day and overnight.  Some areas may be more impacted than others, so please take appropriate precautions.

Affected Areas:      

All areas on the Nez Perce Reservation.

AQI Category:

The Clearwater River corridor from Stites to Orofino continues to experience air quality in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” categories. Elsewhere, air quality is generally in the “Moderate” 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 23^rd, 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

 

09/22/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 1000am MDT Monday, September 22, 2014

Valid through Noon MDT Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Smoke Outlook

The areas of concern today will be focused on the Clearwater Drainage as well as the Salmon-Challis region of the state this evening.   It should be noted that widespread haze and light smoke is forecast across Idaho running north of a line running from McCall to Salmon with some drainage into the Lower Treasure Valley this evening.  Smoke impacts were relatively local on Sunday as the Lewiston DEQ Office saw all of its monitors in the Moderate category while the other DEQ monitors were in the Good category.

An upper level low pressure system is currently located over southeast Idaho and will track to the east today.  This system will bring widespread light showers across southern Idaho while allowing for cloudy skies and higher minimum relative humidity levels across all of Idaho.  Mixing heights are low across the state, ranging from 1,000-4,000 feet AGL this afternoon.  Winds look to be light, ranging from 5-10 mph at the surface.  The wind direction is forecast to be from the southeast across the Southwest SMA with east-southeast winds across the Middle Snake River Plain and southwest winds across the rest of southern Idaho.  Northern Idaho is forecast to have a more zonal flow, with slight southwest flow north of a line running from Lewiston to Missoula while the extreme northern Panhandle is forecast to experience southerly winds.

Smoke impacts today will continue to be strongest in the Palouse once again due to the proximity of the Johnson Bar Fire.  Westerly winds should alleviate some of the impacts as well as prevent any transport from fires in California.

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

Idaho Air Quality Forecast and Caution

DEQ is extending an Air Quality Forecast & Caution Date/Time Issued: Friday, September 19, 2014/10:00 a.m. Next Update: Monday, September 22, 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 has improved today and is currently in the GOOD category. Air Quality is forecast to be in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category throughout the weekend as wildfire smoke from Johnson Bar is expected to return to the region.  Depending on fire activity and smoke production conditions may reach the Unhealthy category in areas of Idaho and Clearwater County. 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 Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation

Thursday, September 19^th, 2014

 

Description of Air Quality Event:

Although conditions have improved for today, wildfire smoke from the Johnson Bar Fire is expected to return to communities on the Nez Perce Reservation this weekend.  Therefore, the Air Quality Advisory issued on Monday remains in effect.  Some areas 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 currently in the “Good” range for most parts of the Reservation; however, some areas my approach the “Unhealthy” category throughout the course of the weekend.  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 Monday, September 22^nd, 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

 

09/19/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 1000am MDT Friday, September 19, 2014

Valid through Noon MDT Monday, September 22, 2014

Smoke Outlook

The areas of concern today will be focused on the Hells Canyon and McCall region of the state, there is transport of smoke from fires burning in California and Oregon that is moving into the southern portion of the state.   It should be noted that widespread haze and light smoke is forecast across most of southern Idaho in the Snake River Plain and south today.  Smoke impacts were relatively widespread yesterday as DEQ’s monitors were slightly elevated into the Moderate category across all of monitors in the Twin Falls, Boise, Lewiston, and Coeur d’Alene Regional Offices (except in Boundary County).  The Grangeville monitor reported a 24hr AQI of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups yesterday.  The Salmon Monitor also reported impacts and was in the Moderate Category yesterday.

The upper level low pressure system is currently located over California and will move to the northeast as we go through the weekend.  An upper level ridge will build over northern Idaho today and tomorrow.  The clear skies will bring warmer days as well as potentially strong nocturnal inversions as temperatures will be able to drop quite rapidly near rivers and lakes.  This pattern begins to shift to a more progressive pattern on Monday; however, confidence is low in any weak disturbances that pass through the northern part of the state until a strong cold front moves in on Tuesday.  Across southern Idaho, the upper level low will approach the state by Sunday.  This will bring a chance of showers to the southwest. 

Smoke impacts today will continue to be strongest in the Treasure Valley and McCall region.  Smoke will settle into the drainages again this evening.  The Garden Valley and Idaho City regions look to receive decent transport of smoke from the Freeze-Out Ridge Fire this evening.  Higher values should be expected in the morning before the inversion breaks.  The transport winds will continue to shift today and Saturday and have a strong westerly component.  The zonal wind pattern and the decrease in fire activity last night will help limit the intensity of any smoke impacts today and tomorrow morning, especially across the Clearwater Drainage.  By Saturday, an easterly-southeasterly wind develops and will transport smoke back into the Clearwater Drainage.  Transport of smoke from the fires in California will be very limited, if occurring at all, due to the position of the upper level low pressure system.  This should lead to a reprieve in the southern parts of the state this weekend and into Monday.  

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