Yesterday’s
operations limited fire growth; however, burning of interior islands produces
the main smoke plumes. This nighttime burnout combined with continued burning
of interior islands resulted in an additional smoke production during yesterday’s
shift. Some of the smoke from yesterday descended causing elevated PM
concentrations Sunday morning from Dexter east to Oakridge. Smoke also flowed
down the Deception creek drainage impacting the Westfir community last night. Oakridge
conditions remained good throughout the day and night times.
Today’s winds will switch to light west winds
increasing by this afternoon, and if conditions are right, the burn team will
begin burnout operations on the north west perimeter. Smoke will linger all day from Dexter to
Oakridge as smoke drifts down valley. Anticipate Eugene and Cottage Grove to be
hazy today, coming under influence of the Yellow Pine fire. Afternoon winds are
forecast to be light west moving smoke to the north and north east with mostly
upslope during the day and down slope at night.
Cooler temperatures and a more stable atmospheric will suppress lofting with
the majority of this smoke to settle in the Oakridge area. We forecast the air quality to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” in
Westfir as smoke vents down the Deception Creek drainage this afternoon, and “Moderate”
for Oakridge into the evening as smoke pools with cooling temperatures.
Air Quality Forecast for Sunday (Particulate
Matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter)
Site
|
Sunday Morning
Sep 7, 2014
|
Sunday Afternoon
Sep 7, 2014
|
Sunday Evening
Sep 7, 2014
|
Oakridge
|
Unhealthy
for Sensitive Groups
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Westfir
|
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
|
Moderate
|
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
|
Dexter
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
24 Hour Average PM 2.5 concentrations
from Deception Complex Sunday September 7, 2014
