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Wildfire Air Quality Outlook Report for Central East Oregon - August 8, 2014

Central OR & JDICC Wildfire Air Quality Summary Report
Prepared by Andrea Holland, Air Resource Advisor

   Air Quality Outlook
Yesterday’s wind flow took smoke from the South Fork Complex fires right into John Day and surrounding communities.  That smoke also dampened the fire activity in the Bald Sisters Fire.  Burns suffered heavy smoke concentrations beginning early this morning; that smoke will likely clear by late this morning.  A similar weather pattern is forecast for today with continued active burning from the South Fork Complex fires sending smoke into the John Day area late morning.  Smoke from these fires may once again minimize fire activity in the Bald Sisters Fire today.  If that does not happen, this fire may take off due to very dry conditions and produce significant smoke.  Today’s winds will likely take smoke into Burns from the South Fork Complex fires.  Tomorrow, Burns may see some relief from smoke by morning as weak westerly winds keep smoke closer to the sources.  With its proximity to the South Fork Complex, John Day will likely see smoke settling into the area beginning late in the morning through late afternoon.
Site
August 7
AQI
August 8
AQI
August 9
AQI
Remarks
Bend
Good
Good
Good

Burns
Moderate
Unhealthy - SG
Moderate
Possible heavy morning smoke over night tonight
Madras
Good
Good
Good

John Day
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate

Prineville
Good
Good
Good

Seneca
No data
Moderate
Moderate
Smokey on 8/7; expect same 8/8
Sisters
Good
Good
Good

PLEASE NOTE: The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review to determine their accuracy.
Air Quality Index
Potential Health Impacts
Actions to Reduce Smoke Exposure
Good
Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk
None
Moderate
Air quality is acceptable for most.  There may be moderate health concern for a very small number of individuals.
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 for Sensitive Groups
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects.  The general public is not likely to be affected.
People with heart or lung disease, children or older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.  Everyone else should limit prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy
Everyone may begin to experience health effects.  These effects may be more serious for sensitive people.
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
Triggers a health alert meaning 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
Triggers health warnings of emergency conditions.  Everyone is very 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.
For more information visit www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com
Air Quality data can be viewed at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx