8/31/15: Air Quality Report for NE Oregon and surrounding areas

Air Quality Report

Monday August 31, 2015

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

The only areas that will experience air quality issues from wildfire smoke in this region the next few days will be those immediately adjacent to fires—namely Troy and other locations east of the Grizzly Bear fire complex, and Riggins and areas along the Salmon River from the Teepee Springs fire.  Both of these fires remain active.  Drier and warmer weather today and Tuesday will hopefully not cause significant fire growth, though this is a concern on the Teepee Springs fire, especially, as well as Grizzly Bear.  The Eagle fire is winding down and smoke impacts in Baker County will be minimal in most areas from now on.  Wednesday through Saturday will feature even cooler and cloudier weather with some showers possible, especially over northern counties.  This should help to further control fires and limit smoke production.  This, along with westerly winds and good dispersion, will help most areas maintain very good air quality for the coming week.
Air Quality Outlook:
Site		Monday August 31	Tuesday September 1		Tuesday September 2		Comments
Baker City		Good	Good		Good
Elgin		Good	Good		Good
Enterprise/Joseph		Good	Good		Good
Halfway		Good	Good		Good
La Grande		Good	Good		Good
Lewiston ID/Clarkston WA		Moderate	Moderate		Good		Some Grizzly Bear smoke at times
McCall ID		Good	Good		Good		Some Teepee Springs smoke possible Tuesday
Ontario/Payette ID		Good	Good		Good
Pendleton		Good	Good		Good
Riggins ID		Moderate	Moderate		Moderate		Overall air quality good; occasional heavy smoke from Teepee Springs possible each day
Troy		Unhealthy	USG		USG		Grizzly Bear fire smoke could be significant at times
Vale		Good	Good		Good
Walla Walla WA		Good	Good		Good
Weiser ID		Good	Good		Good
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:    Oregon Smoke Information:   http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/    AirNow:  www.airnow.gov    Idaho Smoke Information:  http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/    Washington Smoke Information:  http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
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