Montana DEQ Forest Fire Smoke Advisory
September 5, 2005
10:00 AM
Current Situation
Clear air has moved into the northwestern part of the state this morning as a weak frontal system has flushed out most of the residual smoke in that area. There is big plume of smoke aloft covering the northeastern quadrant of Montana that will be producing hazy skies but little impact at the surface. Southwestern Montana is still in the path of the smoke from the fires in Idaho. Butte, Dillon, and the areas around them are at MODERATE levels of smoke this morning. UNHEALTHY levels are likely in the valleys near the Signal Rock fire located between Darby and Phillipsburg. Smoke will continue to be a problem in the southwestern corner of the state and in the areas near active fires 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 5, 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 | Darby/Philipsburg (est) |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
| Moderate | Butte T8
(7) Dillon Vis (2) |
| 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
Smoke will be mixing down to the surface across northeastern Montana this afternoon, but only temporary and MODERATE impacts are expected there. Butte, Dillon and the rest of southwest Montana will be in hazy skies all day as the transport winds will be from the west and any smoke put up today will head straight into that area. Later this afternoon, as the fire activity levels start to pick back up, local impacts are likely in the areas near the active fires and directly under the center line of the downwind plumes. Residents in those areas should use the visibility guidelines as the situation changes.
Dedicated meteorologist, John Coefield,
even does the Air Quality forest fire
updates while on vacation.
John Coefield
Meteorologist
MDEQ
