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Aug. 23 Air Quality Report for Rail Fire -- Weather and Smoke Synopsis

Weather: Today will be mild under a northwesterly flow aloft.  Temperatures will be in the 70s, humidity higher at 15-20%, and light, terrain driven winds, except north-northwest on ridges.  The surface inversion in Unity will lift around 10:00AM. 
Fire Activity: The fire is now 40% contained at approximately 31,100 acres.   Most of the main body of the fire has patches of fuel that are burning intermittently for short periods until consumed.  These are not a threat to containment lines.  Mop-up continues on the west, north and east perimeters. The south flank of the fire is the active portion.  The majority of the fuel in this area is mixed conifer with dead lodgepole.  Portions of this area are part of the 2002 Monument fire: fuels vary from sagebrush, grass and conifer.  Fire is spreading by short spotting to narrow strands of trees in drainages.  Containment line construction continues in preparation for burnout as necessary. 
Smoke Summary:  Smoke conditions in all locations yesterday were Good.  Today, most smoke impacts will be local to the fire.  Unity will have Good conditions after the morning inversion.  John Day, Prairie City, Baker City, Vale and Burns will have Good conditions with hazy skies.  Smoke from fires in Washington will add to haze in the area.  Expect smoke settling into the drainages overnight.   
Air Quality Outlook
Sites with air quality monitor
Site
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Notes for today’s forecast
John Day
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Baker City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Burns
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Unity
Good

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
3:00AM – 10:00AM
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
1:00AM – 10:00AM
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies after the morning inversion lifts.

Good:
 afternoon-evening
Good:
afternoon - evening
Prairie City
Good
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Sites without a monitor
Site
Today
Tomorrow
Worse Time of Day Impacts
Vale
Good
Good
Expect Good conditions and hazy skies.
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly. These predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity. AQI estimates for sites do not represent a full 24-hour time period.  Instead they reflect a period of time within the day where smoke impacts would be greatest.
AQI Index
Actions to Protect Yourself
Good
None

Moderate
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups- USG
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           
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

Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors.
Hazardous
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
*  Sensitive Groups include people with heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women and older adults