8/25/15: Air Quality Report for NE Oregon and surrounding areas

 Air Quality Report Tuesday August 25, 2015

 NE Oregon, SE Washington and W Central Idaho            
 Prepared by:  Greg Johnson, Air Resource Advisor
 Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Baker City OR
 Smoke Synopsis

Air quality improved over the past 24 hours in some areas, while other areas continue to experience very poor air quality from wildfire smoke.  The worst areas are from Wallowa County northward into SE Washington, and then especially eastward from there in neighboring Idaho.  Monitors at Enterprise OR and Clarkston WA have PM2.5 levels over 100 micrograms per cubic meter this morning which is Unhealthy.  Some locations east of there, such as Orofino Idaho have had consistent readings over 250, and as high as 500.  These are Hazardous air quality conditions.  In general, the next few days will feature sunshine, above normal temperatures (most valleys in the 90s), relatively light winds, fairly poor dispersion, and nighttime inversions.  This means that areas near fires and valley areas currently with high concentrations of smoke will continue to experience very poor air quality—probably through Friday.  Other areas, especially further south and west, will have better air quality, but still not good.  A new air quality monitor was installed at Halfway OR yesterday, and PM levels there this morning are over 100, which is Unhealthy air.  This is likely smoke from the Eagle fire.  The Grizzly Bear fire on the OR/WA border, and the Teepee Springs fire south of Riggins ID also are producing significant smoke that will continue to impact nearby areas.  Valley areas downwind of these fires (such as Troy and Flora OR, Anatone WA and Riggins ID) will continue to have extremely poor air quality nights and mornings through Friday.
Air Quality Outlook:
Site		Tuesday August 25	Wednesday August 26		Thursday August 27		Comments
Baker City		USG	USG		USG
Elgin		USG	USG		USG
Enterprise/Joseph		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Unhealthy
Halfway		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Unhealthy
La Grande		USG	USG		USG
Lewiston ID/Clarkston WA		Unhealthy	Unhealthy		Unhealthy
McCall ID		USG	USG		USG
Ontario/Payette ID		USG	USG		USG
Pendleton		Moderate	Moderate		Moderate
Troy		Very Unhealthy	Very Unhealthy		Very Unhealthy		Could be very bad at night and early morning
Vale		USG	USG		USG
Walla Walla WA		Moderate	Moderate		Moderate
Weiser ID		USG	USG		USG
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: Oregonsmoke.blogspot.com – Additional smoke information for the State of Oregon. NOTE – in table above “USG” stands for “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”
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