Smoke Report for Northwestern California
Press release:
In Western Trinity County, the Monument Fire (West of Big Bar) and the McFarland Fire (S/E of Hayfork) are creating some upper-level smoke impacts northwest of these fires. In addition, fire starts from recent thunderstorm activity are creating quite a bit of smoke north of the Salmon Mountains at the Trinity-Siskiyou border. Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov. USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) may be assigned to certain fires impacting our area and may also provide daily Smoke Outlook Forecasts these fires (https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/).
ALERT – Hazardous Conditions (AQI 301 and higher, 24 hr avg):
ADVISORY – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy Conditions (AQI 151-300 range, 24 hr avg):
- None
Regional Smoke Outlooks – Good, Moderate, to USG Conditions (AQI 0-150 range):
Humboldt County:
Eureka (including Scotia to Trinidad) – Good air quality conditions
Willow Creek – Good with periods of Moderate possible in the night and morning hours
Hoopa – Good with periods of Moderate possible in the night and morning hours
Garberville – Good air quality conditions
Redway –Good air quality conditions
Del Norte County:
Crescent City – Good conditions are expected
Gasquet – Good with periods of Moderate conditions
Klamath – Good conditions are expected
Trinity County:
Weaverville – Good to Moderate conditions with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) possible
Hayfork – Moderate conditions with periods of USG to Unhealthy possible
Douglas City – Good to Moderate with periods of USG
Hyampom – Good to Moderate condition with periods of USG possible
Trinity Center – Good to Moderate Conditions with periods of USG possible
Lewiston – Good to Moderate conditions with periods of USG possible
U.S. EPA AIR QUALITY INDEX (https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/)
Action
Level of Concern
AQI Value
Actions to Protect Yourself
Good
0 – 50
None, air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk
Moderate
51 – 100
Sensitive individuals should limit prolonged or heavy exertion
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG)
101 – 150
People within USG should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion
Advisory
Unhealthy (UH)
151 – 200
People within USG should avoid all prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion
Very Unhealthy (VUH)
201 – 300
Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion
Alert
Hazardous (HAZ)
> 301
Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity
Smoke Impact Summary
In Western Trinity County, the Monument Fire (West of Big Bar) and the McFarland Fire (S/E of Hayfork) are creating some upper level smoke impacts northwest of these fires. Aside from localized impacts, the region is still showing Good to Moderate air quality (24hr AQI). Smoke impacts from these fires are expected to remain in drainages and in the fire vicinity, depending on conditions. In addition, fire starts from recent thunderstorm activity are creating quite a bit of smoke north of the Salmon Mountains at the Trinity-Siskiyou border.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are located in Crescent City, Weitchpec, Hoopa, Weaverville, and Eureka. Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov
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 & Actions To Protect Yourself From 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.
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.
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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Thanks for posting this. The news we need to know.
I don’t know that I would call Willow Creek good today. I’ve seen worse but it certainly wasn’t anywhere near smoke free today.
Test.
Also I’m getting smoke vibes up here tonight.