Montana DEQ Forest Fire Smoke Advisory
September 1, 2005
10:00 AM
Current Situation
The fires in Montana and Idaho heated back up again yesterday and smoke is making another appearance in the Big Sky state. Western Montana is seeing a large plume of smoke overhead but there are no reports of smoke at the surface from reporting communities at this time except for in Polson which is currently showing MODERATE levels. Smoke levels in areas immediately adjacent to the active fires may be seeing UNHEALTHY levels locally. Afternoon mixing will bring the smoke down to the surface later today. 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 September 1, 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 | Polson T1 (1), T24 (8) |
| 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
Skies will continue to be hazy today but unless the fire activity levels increase dramatically later today, no significant smoke impacts are expected except in areas in the immediate vicinity of active fires. Limited dispersion in the mornings will keep some valleys clear of smoke but may trap smoke in others. Afternoon mixing will bring the smoke overhead down to the surface and residents in areas under the center of the plumes from active fires may experience UNHEALTHY levels of smoke. Residents in those areas should use the visibility guidelines as the situation changes.
John Coefield
Meteorologist
MDEQ
