Aug. 21 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis

Weather: Today, the morning inversion will change to gusty northwest winds and moderately unstable conditions in the afternoon and evening.  Winds will be 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.  Warm and dry conditions continue.   The surface inversion in Unity will lift around 10:00 AM.  Fire Activity: Work to secure line continues to make progress on the west perimeter.  Mop-up and patrol is in place on the north and east perimeters.  Few unburned interior islands remain in this part of the fire.  Preparations continue for operations in the southern end of the fire including some burning out, line building, and snag mitigation.  The fire is now 30% contained at approximately 30,200 acres.   Smoke Summary:  Smoke conditions in Unity yesterday were Unhealthy until mid-day.  All other forecast areas experienced Good conditions.  Today, most smoke impacts will be local to the fire with highest concentrations forecast for Unity.  Morning conditions in Unity will be Unhealthy, improving to Good for the afternoon and evening.  John Day and Prairie City will have clear skies. Baker City, Burns, and Vale will have Good conditions under hazy skies.  Expect smoke settling into the drainages overnight.
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site	Yesterday			Today		Tomorrow		Notes for today’s forecast
John Day	Good			Good		Good		Expect Good conditions.
Baker City	Good			Good		Good		Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Burns	Good			Good		Good		Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Unity	Unhealthy 1:00AM – 11:00AM			Unhealthy 1:00AM – 12:00PM		Unhealthy 1:00AM – 12:00PM		Expect  Unhealthy smoke levels until 12:00PM followed by Good levels through the afternoon and evening.
	Good: afternoon - evening			Good:  afternoon-evening		Good: afternoon - evening
Prairie City	Good			Good		Good		Expect Good conditions.
Sites without a monitor
Site			Today		Tomorrow		Worse Time of Day Impacts
Vale			Good		Good		Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly. These predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity. AQI estimates for sites do not represent a full 24-hour time period.  Instead they reflect a period of time within the day where smoke impacts would be greatest.
AQI Index		Actions to Protect Yourself
Good		None
Moderate		Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups- USG		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		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		Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Hazardous		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

*    Sensitive Groups include people with heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women and older adults