Monday, August 17, 2015

Air Quality Summary Report - Chelan Area Fires - Monday, August 17, 2015


Air Quality Summary Report - Chelan Area Fires
August 17, 2015
prepared by Andrea Holland, Air Resource Advisor, Wolverine Fire

Monday:  Smoke inversions coupled with light, terrain-driven winds may result in unhealthy air quality conditions through late morning in Methow, Manson, Chelan, Leavenworth and Wenatchee. Some clearing will occur in the valleys by late morning/early afternoon. Afternoon northwest winds coupled with greater fire activity are expected to further extend smoke impacts into the Chelan Lake and Columbia River Valley areas as it did on Sunday. Methow may not see much relief from smoke throughout the day. The combined effects of multiple fires in Northeast Washington could create widespread smoky/hazy conditions for most of central Washington today.
Tuesday:  Smoke will persist in valley bottoms throughout the day causing unhealthy air quality in the Methow Valley, Manson, Chelan, Leavenworth and Wenatchee.  Chelan will see particularly heavy smoke during this time. Smoke dispersion in late morning/early afternoon will be capped by stable mid-level atmosphere. Added to an expected increase in fire activity during this time, communities near the fires are likely to experience periods of heavy smoke. 
Wednesday: Smoke will linger in valley bottoms through morning.  Unstable air will allow smoke to clear in these areas by midafternoon but may also result in greater fire activity and smoke development by late afternoon/early evening affecting Douglas County.
Site
August 17
Air quality -Today
August 18
Air Quality - Tues
August 19
Air Quality - Wed
Comments
Chelan
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
USG
Today, worst air quality in the afternoon, may move to Very Unhealthy range.
Manson
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
USG
Today, worst air quality in the afternoon, may move to Very Unhealthy range.
Methow Valley
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Unhealthy
Today, worst air quality in the afternoon, may move to Very Unhealthy range particularly around Methow.
Wenatchee
Moderate
USG
Moderate

Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly, these predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity.  The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review. AQI’s estimated for sites with air monitors.
Index Levels of Health Concern

Actions Recommended by WA Department of Ecology to Reduce Smoke Exposure

Good
None

Moderate
People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should limit outdoor activities or do activities that take less effort, such as walking instead of running.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, infants, children, adults older than 65, pregnant women, or who have had a stroke.  These people should limit time spent outdoors.

Unhealthy
Everyone should limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should avoid exercising outdoors (including sports teams) and choose non-strenuous indoor activities. People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should stay indoors. Infants, children, pregnant women and adults over age 65 should also stay indoors.

Very Unhealthy
Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask.
Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.

Hazardous
Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask.
Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.

For more information about smoke in Washington State, visit http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

No comments:

Post a Comment

We monitor this site during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM. We encourage your questions, comments, and feedback. We ask that everyone be respectful of the opinions of others, and avoid comments that are defamatory, inappropriate or off-topic. If you have an emergency, please call 911.

We moderate all comments to prevent spam. Your comment will publish upon review