Montana DEQ Forest Fire Smoke Advisory
September 3, 2005
10:00 AM
Current Situation
Smoke levels in most communities are at least temporarily better this morning after a very smoky afternoon and evening yesterday. With the exception of Hamilton, which is still seeing MODERATE levels currently, all of the rest of the reporting stations are at GOOD levels right now. Longer term average values have put Kalispell, Polson, Missoula and Hamilton into the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE range. UNHEALTHY levels or worse are expected in the Plains/Perma/Hot Springs area as well as the Phillipsburg area. Libby, Whitefish, Helena, and Butte are all at average values of MODERATE. The smoke is coming from three fires in Montana and numerous fires in Idaho. This morning's satellite photo clearly shows a large plume of smoke stretching out across the state from the western central part of the state into Canada. Conditions are expected to worsen 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.
NO CURRENT HAZARD MAPPING ANALYSIS AVAILABLE
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 3, 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 | Plains/Perma/Hot
Springs area (est.) Philipsburg (est) |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Kalispell
T24 (6) Polson (est.) Missoula T24 (6) Hamilton T8 (6), T24 (6) |
| Moderate | Whitefish
T8 (6), T24 (6) Kalispell T8 (6) Hamilton T1 (6) Helena T24 (6) Butte T8 (6), T24 (6) |
| 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
Red Flag conditions are forecast through the day today and lots of smoke will be put up into the air as very active burning is expected. Southwest winds will be mixing the smoke aloft down to the surface later this morning and smoke levels at all areas under the plume aloft will degrade significantly today. Later this evening the winds are expected to switch to a more westerly pattern that will drive smoke into other areas that have been clear for the last day or so. UNHEALTHY levels are expected in the areas near the active fires and those under the center of the smoke plumes aloft farther downwind. Residents in areas with active fires and those under the plumes should use the visibility guidelines as the situation changes.
John Coefield
Meteorologist
MDEQ
