Advisory Issued for Northeastern Humboldt County and Parts of Trinity County

Smoke air quality Report featurePress release from North Coast Air Quality Management District :

Several fires continue to impact our region with smoke: Red Salmon Complex (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891), August Complex (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983), Slater/Devil Fire (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7173/) and Zogg fire. USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) are assigned to fires impacting our area and provide daily smoke outlook forecasts that contribute to this three-county smoke advisory. Air quality monitors and current AQI should be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov.

The ARA on the Red Salmon fire indicates there is widespread areas of heavy smoke pooled across the region, and as winds shift and fire activity increases in the afternoon, conditions can change rapidly. In northern Humboldt and Trinity County, warm, dry and stagnant weather conditions continue to trap smoke at lower elevations especially near the fire. These conditions are expected to remain in place through Wednesday (10/7). A change in the weather is expected to begin Thursday (10/8) bringing cooler temperatures and increasing moisture along with chances of rain late in the week. Conditions in locations very near the Red Salmon fire are expected to remain Very Unhealthy to Hazardous.

The ARA on the August Complex indicates continued active growth along the western perimeter, especially in the N/NW corner and in the area near Covelo. Large pockets continue to burn in the interior, contributing to heavy smoke production. With dry fuels and high temperatures, fire activity is expected to remain high today, especially at elevations above 4500 feet where there will not be a thick smoke blanket to moderate fire behavior. Smoke continues to persist in the deep valleys, especially in inland communities closest to the fire. Light winds today and tonight will do little to clear smoke away from these areas, and will allow smoke to once again travel down drainages into communities to the west of the Complex. These conditions are expected to persist through tomorrow.

Humboldt County – ADVISORY issued today for Orleans, Weitchpec, Hoopa, and Willow Creek.

    • Eureka/Arcata (including Rio Dell to Trinidad) – Mostly Moderate with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
    • Orleans – Very Unhealthy.
    • Weitchpec – Very Unhealthy.
    • Hoopa – Very Unhealthy to Hazardous conditions.
    • Willow Creek – Very Unhealthy.
    • Bridgeville – Unhealthy for Sensitive Group with periods of Unhealthy conditions.
    • Garberville & Redway – Mostly Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups reaching Unhealthy conditions this afternoon.

Del Norte County – No ADVISORY issued today.

 

    • Crescent City – Good to Moderate with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

    • Gasquet – Moderate with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

    • Klamath – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy conditions.

Trinity County – ADVISORY issued today for Weaverville, Trinity Center, Ruth-Trinity Pines, and Zenia- Kettenpom areas.

    • Weaverville and surrounding communities – Unhealthy.
    • Hayfork – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy.
    • Trinity Center – Unhealthy.
    • Ruth -Trinity Pines – Unhealthy to even Hazardous conditions possible.
    • Zenia – Kettenpom – Unhealthy to even Hazardous conditions possible.

Air Quality Index

(AQI Value)

PM 2.5

24hr avg

(ug/m3)

Actions to Protect Yourself

Good (0-50)

0-12

None

Moderate (51-100)

12-35

Sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups [USG] (101-150)

35-55

People within USG should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion

Unhealthy (151-200)

55-150

People within USG should avoid all prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion

Very Unhealthy (201-300)

150-250

Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion

Hazardous (>300)

250-500

Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are located in Crescent City, Gasquet, Eureka, Fortuna, Weaverville, Hoopa, Weitchpec, Willow Creek, Klamath, Trinity Center, Bridgeville, and Garberville. Updates will be provided as conditions change.

Fire information can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ or https://fire.airnow.gov/. Current weather information can be found at www.wrh.noaa.gov.

As with all wildfires, ash fallout is possible depending on fire activity and proximity to the fires. Ash fallout information can be found in the Wildfire Smoke Resources section of our webpage at www.ncuaqmd.org.

Health Information for Smoke Impacts

Concentrations of smoke may vary depending upon location, weather, and distance from the fire. Smoke from wildfires and structure fires contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. People who are at greatest risk of experiencing symptoms due to smoke include: those with respiratory disease (such as asthma), those with heart disease, young children, and older adults.

These sensitive populations should stay indoors and avoid prolonged activity. All others should limit prolonged or heavy activity and time spent outdoors. Even healthy adults can be affected by smoke. Seek medical help if you have symptoms that worsen or become severe.

Follow these general precautions to protect your health during a smoke event:

    • Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise.
    • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.
    • Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside – examples include swamp coolers, whole-house fans, and fresh air ventilation systems.
    • Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors. Change the standard air conditioner filter to a medium or high efficiency filter. If available, use the “re-circulate” or “recycle” setting on the unit.
    • Do not smoke, fry food, or do other things that will create indoor air pollution.

If you have lung disease (including asthma) or heart disease, closely monitor your health and contact your doctor if you have symptoms that worsen. Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you have repeated coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue, lightheadedness.

Updated guidance from the CDC is available on reducing wildfire smoke exposure given COVID-19 considerations: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/covid-19/reduce_exposure_to_wildfire_smoke_covid-19.html.

For further information, visit the District’s website at www.ncuaqmd.org or call the District’s Wildfire Response Coordinator at (707) 443-3093, x122.

 

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