8/26/15: Air Quality Report for NE Oregon and surrounding areas

Air Quality Report

Wednesday August 26, 2015

NE Oregon, SE Washington and W Central Idaho            

Prepared by:  Greg Johnson, Air Resource Advisor, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Baker City OR

Some areas in this region have experienced improved air quality over the past 24 hours while areas, particularly Baker and Union counties in Oregon and some valley locations in Idaho, have air quality levels poorer than yesterday.  For instance, Halfway has had PM2.5 levels higher than 100 micrograms per cubic meter fairly consistently, which is Unhealthy.  Baker City also has had Unhealthy air quality since yesterday.  A new monitor was installed yesterday at Riggins Idaho, with PM2.5 levels as high as 650.  Overall air quality there is rated Hazardous.  This is primarily smoke from the Teepee Springs fire approximately 20 miles to the south.  Interestingly, McCall is south of the fire and has had good air quality.  Southeast Washington air quality has improved, with only moderate air quality in Dayton and Walla Walla and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in the Lewiston/Clarkston area.  Air Quality will change very slowly for the better in some locations the next few days, but sunshine and very warm temperatures will favor some fire growth.  The Grizzly Bear and Eagle fires continue to be active and are producing some significant smoke, and the Teepee Springs fire has had extreme activity the past 24 hours, spreading to the north nearly 2 miles.  Therefore, air quality in the Idaho border counties in Oregon as well as the valleys in west central Idaho will continue to be rather poor through tomorrow, with some slight improvement on Friday.  Malheur and Umatilla counties, and those in SE Washington will generally have better good air quality, except for any areas directly downwind of the Grizzly Bear fire in SE WA.  Also, there is the possibility that there could be some significant smoke in Umatilla and Morrow counties tomorrow and Friday from the Cougar fire near Mt. Adams.  It still appears that stronger southwest transport winds will lead to much better dispersion this weekend and into next week, but chances for rain will remain very low over much of this area.
Air Quality Outlook:
Site		Wednesday August 26	Thursday August 27		Friday August 28		Comments
Baker City		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		USG
Elgin		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		USG
Enterprise/Joseph		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Unhealthy
Halfway		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Unhealthy
La Grande		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		USG
Lewiston ID/Clarkston WA		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Unhealthy
McCall ID		Moderate	USG		USG
Ontario/Payette ID		Moderate	Moderate		Good
Pendleton		Moderate	USG		USG
Troy		Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy		Very Unhealthy
Vale		Moderate	Moderate		Good
Walla Walla WA		Moderate	USG		USG
Weiser ID		Moderate	Moderate		Good
AQI Index Actions to Protect Yourself Good Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. Moderate Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups - USG Although general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air Unhealthy            Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects. Very Unhealthy   This would trigger a health alert signifying that everyone may experience more serious health effects. Hazardous This would trigger a health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Links:    Oregon Smoke Information:   http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/    AirNow:  www.airnow.gov    Idaho Smoke Information:  http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/    Washington Smoke Information:  http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Warning: These data have been obtained from automated instruments and have not been subjected to a quality assurance review to determine their accuracy. They are presented for public awareness and should not be considered final. Conditions such as power outages and equipment malfunctions can produce invalid data.
1 Since wildfires often occur in remote areas, air monitoring equipment may not be available. The following table provides a quick method to assess air quality in your area. For more detailed information you can go to the following site: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/wildfires/visibility.htm
Using the 5-3-1 Visibility Index
Distance you can see*	Your are:							You have:
	·  An adult ·  A teenager ·  An older child			·  Age 65 and over ·  Pregnant ·  A young child		OR		·  Asthma ·  Respiratory illness ·  Lung or heart disease
5 miles	check visibility			minimize outdoor activity
3 miles	minimize outdoor activity			stay inside
1 mile	stay inside			stay inside
No matter how far you can see, if you feel like you are having health effects from smoke exposure, take extra care to stay inside or get to an area with better air quality.  You should also see your doctor or other health professional as needed.
* less reliable under high humidity conditions