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9/2/15: Air Quality Report for NE Oregon and surrounding areas

Air Quality Report, Wednesday  September 2, 2015
NE Oregon, SE Washington and W Central Idaho            
Prepared by:  Greg Johnson, Air Resource Advisor, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest,Baker City OR

Yesterday saw active fire behavior on parts of the Grizzly Bear and Tepee Springs fires.  Temperatures warmed into the 80s and 90s, humidities were low and there were some afternoon winds.  That will all change the next 24 hours as clouds, higher humidities and much cooler temperatures move in.  This will continue through Saturday.  The result will be reduced smoke impacts as fires will likely subside some the next few days.  Dispersion should be good the next few days with mostly southwest winds aloft.  Air quality issues will again be restricted to areas downwind of the major fires, mostly up the Salmon River from Tepee Springs, and to the east of Grizzly Bear near Troy and other locations in that area.  Smoke will probably be most significant in the night and early morning hours in those areas.  All other areas in the region should enjoy good air quality.  There may be a few light showers with the system today, but the better chance for showers appears now to be later Friday and into Saturday, when it will be unseasonably cool for Labor Day weekend over this area.
 
Air Quality Outlook:
Site
Wednesday
September 2
 
Thursday
September 3
 
Friday
September 4
 
Comments
Baker City
Good
Good
Good
 
Elgin
Good
Good
Good
 
Enterprise/Joseph
Good
Good
Good
 
Halfway
Good
Good
Good
 
La Grande
Good
Good
Good
 
Lewiston ID/Clarkston WA
Good
Good
Good
 
McCall ID
Good
Good
Moderate
Some smoke may come in Thursday night and Friday from Tepee Springs
Ontario/Payette ID
Good
Good
Good
 
Pendleton
Good
Good
Good
 
Riggins ID
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Heavy smoke from Tepee Springs possible for a few hours each day
Troy
USG
USG
USG
Grizzly Bear fire smoke  at times
Vale
Good
Good
Good
 
Walla Walla WA
Good
Good
Good
 
Weiser ID
Good
Good
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