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Deception smoke forecast and dispersion map for 9/9/14

Yesterday, burnout operations designed to protect the northern and western perimeters continued.  Some of this smoke combined with smoke emitted from interior burning and descended into the valley causing elevated PM concentrations Tuesday morning.  From Dexter east to Oakridge, nighttime and early morning monitors recorded high levels PM concentrations.  By midafternoon, the winds shifted to the northwest, and air quality improved.  The forecast is for a strong morning inversion for Tuesday, as a result smoke will pool in low laying areas, with air quality improving by midafternoon.
Today’s winds will remain north to north-west all day, transporting smoke to the south and southeast. Once the morning inversion breaks, smoke will start to disperse and air quality will improve. With the shift in the winds, the communities of Eugene and Cottage Grove may see reduced smoke impacts from the Yellow Pine fire. We forecast the morning air quality to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” in Westfir as smoke vents down the Deception Creek drainage, and “Moderate” for Oakridge.  Smoke should start to clear when the morning inversion breaks and wind speed increases.

Air Quality Forecast for Tuesday (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter)


Site
Tuesday Morning
Sep 9, 2014
Tuesday Afternoon
Sep 9, 2014
Tuesday Evening
Sep 9, 2014
Oakridge
Moderate
Good
Moderate
Westfir
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Moderate
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Dexter
Moderate
Good
Moderate

24-hour Average PM 2.5 concentrations from Deception Complex
Tuesday September 9, 2014