Updated Air Quality Report for Central Oregon

Smoke Synopsis (prepared by Daniel Chan & Andrea Holland, Air Resource Advisor)­­­­­        Air quality monitors indicate that yesterday’s air quality was moderate for particulate matter in Madras and Prineville. Bend and Sisters continued to experience good air quality.  Thunder showers are expected in the area today along with increased humidity.  Lightning is unlikely to result in new fire starts.  Any fire growth and resulting smoke in the next couple of days will be mostly related to burn-out operations.    Wind is forecast to come from the West this afternoon which will push smoke from fires to the East.  Strong winds associated with thundershowers can disperse smoke. Rain associated with thundershowers can also wash out particulate matter in the air.    Good air quality is likely to continue at Bend and Sisters.  Prineville probably will see some improvement from yesterday, but air quality is likely to remain in the Moderate range for today.  Madras is likely to continue to have Moderate condition for today as it is largely downwind of the active Logger Unit Fires.  Cooler temperature and chances of showers and thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday.  Fire fighters are expected to continue to gain ground on fires in the area. Wind is forecast to come from Southwest in the morning and then shift to the West in the afternoon.  Smoke will be pushed to the Northeast in the morning and then to the East in the afternoon.   Air Quality Outlook (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter) Site Monday July 21, 2014 AQI Tuesday forecast July 22, 2014 AQI Wednesday forecast July 23, 2014 AQI Disclaimer: Warning: The data for 7/21 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. Bend Good Good Good Madras Moderate Moderate Good Prineville Moderate Good Good Sisters Good Good Good Warm Spgs No Information Moderate Good AQI Index (µg/m3) Potential Health Impacts Actions to Protect Yourself Good (0-12) Air quality is satisfactory and poses 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 (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, 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. For more information see the Oregon Smoke blog: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com Air Quality data can be viewed at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx