Montana DEQ Forest Fire Smoke Advisory
August 20, 2005
10:00 AM
Current Situation
There is just a little high haze across western Montana today from yesterday's moderate fire activity. There are no reports of any surface smoke impacts from the reporting stations. There are many fires just west of the Bitterroots and as the day heats up and they become more active, smoke will start heading our way again. See the forecast below for information about what to expect later today and tomorrow.
Today's analysis from NOAA's satellite services division shows the active fires in the Northwest US and Canada and the smoke plumes spreading out downwind and layering on top of each other.
Gray indicates smoke plume.
Red indicates hot spot detected.
Fire size is exaggerated for visibility at this scale
To identify individual fires on graphic above go to the USDA - Remote Sensing Applications Center
Real time particulate information is currently available in most of the larger urban areas from several different sources including: DEQ run PM-10 TEOMS and BAMS and PM2.5 BAMS, NWS ASOS visibility monitors, and USFS remote access Nephelometers and BAMS .
This morning's smoke report is below, comparing particulate levels where we have information to MDEQ's Forest Fire health advisory levels.
Updated 10:00 AM August 20, 2005
Locations and severity of forest fire smoke reports since midnight of the date above at reporting stations.
| Smoke Conditions | City |
|---|---|
| Hazardous | |
| Very Unhealthy | |
| Unhealthy | |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
| Moderate | |
| Good |
|
T1(x) |
One-hour TEOM value (number of values) |
| T8(x) | Eight-hour average TEOM value(number of values) |
| T24 | 24 hour average TEOM value |
| Vis(x) | Visibility value(number of hours) |
| Vis(am/pm) | Visibility value from twice/day reporting stations |
Local impacts in areas immediately adjacent to active fires are expected to exceed some or all of the advisory levels. DEQ recommends the use of local visibility guidelines to evaluate possible health risks and make informed activity decisions. Link to Smoke Categories.
Forecast
Fire activity was generally moderate yesterday but most fires are expecting increases in activity levels Saturday and Sunday due to increased temperatures and lower humidity both days. Some record high temperatures may be seen Sunday. Transport winds will be generally from the west today, changing to the southwest tonight and Sunday. By this afternoon, late day mixing will be bringing smoke down to the surface again in the areas under the smoke plumes. Residents in areas with active fires and under the smoke plume need to stay aware of local conditions and use the visibility guidelines as the situation changes.
John Coefield
Meteorologist
MDEQ
