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8/18/15: Air Quality Report for SW Oregon


Air Quality Report # 11 for Southwest Oregon                                                       Issued: August 18, 2015


Smoke Synopsis:

Yesterday: Smoke impacts across SW Oregon increased yesterday raising levels to moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Burnouts at the Crescent and Stouts Creek Fires contributed to impacts along with smoke from the Collier Butte Fire and background smoke from other fires in the region.
Today: Light wind speeds (<5mph) and hot temperatures continue.  With no firm directional flow and overall stagnate conditions, smoke impacts today will be similar to yesterday. Burnouts are planned on the Crescent Fire if weather and fuel conditions permit. Smoke dispersion in the Hwy 199, 99, & I-5 horseshoe is dependent on your location and shape of terrain. Crater Lake NP continues to be impacted by Crescent Fire. Smoke conditions can be seen by viewing the NPS webcams for air quality status. http://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
Tomorrow:  Gradual improvement in air quality is expected to begin tomorrow although some areas will remain elevated. As the surface high pressure moves to the east, there will be improved dispersion of smoke with a change in wind direction and increased wind speed. Areas immediately downwind of fires will be most affected by smoke.

Prepared by Air Resource Advisors: Gary Curcio (252-624-7635, gary.curcio@gmail.com), Janice Peterson (206-484-4353, jlpeterson@fs.fed.us) and Michael McGown (208-994-1316, mcgown.michael@epa.gov))

Air Quality Outlook:

Location
Yesterday 8/17/2015
Today 8/18/2015
Tomorrow 8/19/2015
Comments
Cave Junction
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
 
Grants Pass
Moderate
Moderate
Good
 
Klamath Falls
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Potential impact from Crescent Fire burnout
Medford
USG
Moderate
Good
Potential impact from Crescent Fire burnout
Provolt
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Potential impact from Crescent Fire burnout
Shady Cove
USG
USG
USG
Potential impact from Crescent Fire burnout
Eagle Point 19
USG
USG
Moderate
Potential impact from Crescent Fire burnout
Jacksonville 215
Moderate
Moderate
Good
Potential impact from Crescent Fire burnout
Ashland 84
Moderate
Moderate
Good
Potential impact from Crescent Fire burnout
Tiller 23
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
No burnouts planned on the Stouts Fire
Prospect  16
No Data
USG
Moderate
modeled data only
Agness
No Data
Moderate
Good
modeled data only
Gold Beach
No Data
Moderate
Good
modeled data only
Brookings
No Data
USG
Good
modeled data only

AQI Category
(PM2.5 µg/m3)
Potential Health Impacts
Actions to Protect Yourself
Good (0-12)
Little or no health risk
None
Moderate (13-35)
Air quality is acceptable for most. There may be moderate health concern for a small number of sensitive people.
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – USG (36-55)
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects.  The general public is not likely to be affected.
People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy (56-150)

Everyone may begin to experience more serious health effects.
The following groups should avoid all physical outdoor activity: People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults.  Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy
(151-250)
Triggers a health alert, everyone may experience more serious health effects
Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Hazardous (>250)

The entire population is even more likely to be affected by serious health effects.
The following groups should remain indoors and keep activity levels low: People with heart or lung disease; children and older adults. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion

Learn more at:      a) Oregon Smoke Blog http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

                                    b) AirNow http://airnow.gov and http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires

                                    c) Oregon DEQ Air monitoring http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx