Air Quality Report for Sunday

This is a press release from North Coast Air Quality:

The Six Rivers Lightning Complex Fire(s) continue to have more active fire behavior combined with smoke from firing operations that may produce heavier smoke for longer duration. The heaviest smoke from the fires will continue to impact nearby communities, with Very Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality this afternoon and evening in Willow Creek, and Hazardous much of the day in Hwy 299 corridor (from Burnt Ranch to Junction City). Hoopa, Weitchpec, and Orleans should expect periods of Unhealthy air quality around noon, followed by clearing. Smoke may also linger longer in drainages over the weekend as inversion layers become stronger.

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) are assigned to certain fires impacting our area and are providing daily Smoke Outlook Forecasts on one or more of these fires (https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook).

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

Trinity County:

• Burnt Ranch, Salyer, Hawkins Bar, Junction City – Very Unhealthy to Hazardous throughout the day

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

Humboldt County:

• Willow Creek – Overall Unhealthy; Very Unhealthy to Hazardous from late morning to mid afternoon

Trinity County:

• Weaverville – Primarily Very Unhealthy; periods of Hazardous in morning, improvement in afternoon
• Lewiston – Primarily Very Unhealthy; periods of Hazardous in morning, improvement in afternoon
• Hayfork – Very Unhealthy throughout the day
• Hyampom – Unhealthy with periods of Very Unhealthy to Hazardous in afternoon and evening
• Trinity Center – Primarily Unhealthy, improvement possible in afternoon

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

Humboldt County:

• Eureka (including Scotia to Trinidad) – Good air quality conditions; visible haze
• Hoopa – Overall USG, periods of Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy midday, then clearing
• Orleans – Good this morning, Moderate afternoon, then clearing
• Weitchpec – Overall Moderate; USG to Unhealthy midday, then clearing
• Garberville & Redway – Good to Moderate; visible haze

Del Norte County:

• Crescent City – Good
• Gasquet – Good
• Klamath – Good; visible haze

Smoke Impact Summary

Information from the USFS Air Resource Advisors on the fires indicate that smoke impacts from the Six Rivers Lightning Complex Fire(s) will continue to heavily impact nearby communities with Very Unhealthy air quality this afternoon and evening in Willow Creek. Hoopa, Weitchpec, and Orleans should expect periods of Unhealthy around noon, followed by clearing. Winds from the north and northwest are expected to bring Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality in Burnt Ranch to Junction City, Hyampom and Hayfork. The inversion layer is expected to grow stronger with more smoke lingering in drainages today and tomorrow.

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.

USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) are assigned to certain fires impacting our area and are providing daily Smoke Outlook Forecasts on one or more of these fires (https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook).

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.