Air Quality Report for Sunday

This is a press release from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District:

The Six Rivers Forest (SRF) Lightning Complex, Smith River Complex, and the Happy Camp Complex are the main fires that continue to generate smoke in the region. The Marlow, Copper and Blue Creek Fires continue to burn together producing most of the smoke from the SRF Lightning Complex. Communities along the Trinity River Valley will have Unhealthy conditions throughout the day as smoke settles in and remains. Areas on the coastline should experience generally Moderate air quality today with some clearing overnight. These conditions are expected to persist throughout 

the day and into tomorrow with continuing fire activity. 

USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) are assigned to certain fires impacting our area and daily Smoke Outlook Forecasts on one or more of these fires (https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook). Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) should be viewed on the EPA Fire & Smoke Map at https://fire.airnow.gov. 

ALERT – Hazardous ██ (AQI 301 and higher, 24 hr avg.): None 

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

Humboldt County:

• Orleans – Very Unhealthy, with periods of heavier smoke
• Weitchpec – Unhealthy, with smoke increasing throughout the day
• Hoopa – Unhealthy, with improvement in overnight/morning

Del Norte County:

• Gasquet – Unhealthy, with some improvement late afternoon

Regional Smoke Outlooks – Good ██, Moderate ██, to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups ██(AQI 0-150 range):

Humboldt County:

• Eureka (including Scotia to Trinidad) – Overall Good, with periods of Moderate, possible haze
• Hoopa – Overall USG, with periods of increased smoke
• Willow Creek – USG, with improvement in overnight/morning
• Orick – Moderate
• Bridgeville – Overall Good, with periods of Moderate to USG
• Garberville, Redway – Overall Good, with periods of Moderate and haze

Del Norte County:

• Crescent City – Moderate, with periods of USG in the afternoon
• Klamath – USG, with some improvement in afternoon/evening

Trinity County:

• Weaverville area – Overall Good, with periods of Moderate
• Hayfork – Overall Good, with periods of Moderate midday
• Trinity Center – Overall Moderate, with periods of USG
• Hyampom – Moderate

Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at 

https://fire.airnow.gov. Additional Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors have been deployed in Eureka, Crescent City, Hoopa, Willow Creek, Klamath, Weaverville, Orleans, Hayfork, and Mad River. 

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/ or app.watchduty.org. Current weather information can be found at www.wrh.noaa.gov. As with all wildfires, ash fallout is possible. 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.