Unhealthy to Hazardous Air in Much of Trinity County; Mostly Good to Moderate in Humboldt County

Press release from North Coast Air Quality:

The Monument Fire, McFarland Fire, River Complex, and McCash fires remain active and producing smoke. USFS Air Resource Advisors on the fires indicate that a low-pressure system began moving across the area overnight, bringing improved air quality to communities west of the fires. Areas near active fire will continue to see Hazardous to Unhealthy conditions, especially in the morning as smoke from smoldering fires settles in drainages.Similar conditions expected tomorrow.

Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov. USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARA) assigned to the Monument/McFarland and River Complex fires provides daily ARA Smoke Outlook Forecasts at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks.

ALERT – Hazardous Conditions (AQI 301 and higher, 24 hr avg):

• • Trinity Center/Coffee Creek – Very Unhealthy to Hazardous

• • Hayfork – Very Unhealthy to Hazardous

ADVISORY – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy Conditions (AQI 151-300 range, 24 hr avg):

 

• • Orleans – USG to Unhealthy, smoke could remain heavy tonight

• • Weaverville – Very Unhealthy

  • Lewiston – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy, possible Hazardous periods

  • Junction City – Very Unhealthy to Hazardous

  • Douglas City – Very Unhealthy to Hazardous

  • Platina area – Unhealthy with periods of smoke

Regional Smoke Outlooks – Good, Moderate, to USG Conditions (AQI 0-150 range, 24 hr avg):

Humboldt County: (see above Advisory)

• • Eureka (including Scotia to Trinidad) – Good conditions

• • Weitchpec – Good to Moderate conditions

• • Hoopa Valley – USG to Moderate, smoke to worsen, then slowly start to clear toward the afternoon/evening

• • Willow Creek – Overall USG, smoke to worsen, then slowly start to clear toward the afternoon/evening

  • Garberville, Redway – Good conditions

Del Norte County:

• • Crescent City – Good conditions

• • Gasquet – Good to Moderate conditions

• • Klamath – Good conditions

Trinity County: (see above Advisory and Alerts)

 

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

The USFS Air Resource Advisor on the Monument & McFarland Complex indicates that westerly transport winds will continue push smoke to the east with improvement expected in eastern Humboldt County. Willow creek and nearby communities in the Trinity River drainage west of the fire, should see improved conditions today as smoke should start to clear early afternoon with upcanyon winds. Areas near active fire will continue to see Hazardous to Unhealthy conditions, especially in the morning as smoke from smoldering fires settles in drainages. Similar conditions expected tomorrow.

 

The USFS Air Resource Advisor on the River and McCash fires indicates that since the low pressure system began moving across the area overnight it is bringing improved air quality to communities west of the fires. Area-wide smoke will move generally to the east and northeast today, but smoke in steep drainages near the River Complex will persist.

If you are in areas that continue to be Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality, it is really important to take health and safety precautions. Take actions to limit outdoor activity and smoke exposure. Learn how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Visit the Wildfire Smoke Resources section of our webpage at www.ncuaqmd.org.

In Trinity County, High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters have been placed at the following locations:

• • Trinity County Library, 351 Main St., Weaverville

    Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1:00pm – 6:00pm; Tuesday/Thursday 10:00am – 6:00 pm

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are located in Crescent City, Weitchpec, Hoopa, Willow Creek, Weaverville, Hayfork, Eureka, and Garberville. Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov

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.