Montana DEQ Forest Fire Smoke Advisory
September 9, 2005
10:00 AM
Current Situation
Smoke concentrations are at UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE levels in most of western Montana this morning. Kalispell, Missoula, Hamilton, Darby, Helena and Butte are all at that level. Conditions in Phillipsburg near the Signal Rock fire are expected to be at UNHEALTHY or worse. MODERATE levels of smoke are reported in Libby, Eureka, and Polson this morning. There is a very large plume of smoke crossing the center of the state this morning left over from yesterday's fire runs. This smoke is high based and surface concentrations are not a problem there at this time. Smoke will continue to be a problem most of today but change is on the way with the approach of a strong frontal system later today and tonight. 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 9, 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 | Phillipsburg (est.) |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Kalispell
T24 (8) Missoula T24 (8) Hamilton T8 (8), T24 (8) Helena T8 (8), T24 (8) Butte T24 (7) Darby Neph (8) |
| Moderate | Libby T1
(1), T8 (8), T24 (8) Whitefish T8 (8), T24 (8) Polson, T1 (8), 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
A strong trough of low pressure is headed into the state from the north. Strong southwest winds ahead of the front are expected and Red Flag warning are in place for the afternoon. With the transport winds shifting more and more to the south until the front passes, western Montana will continue to be impacted by smoke right up to the arrival of the front. Flow from behind the front is coming from the northwest and the smoke will clear rapidly as it passes. There will be at least some rain and snow with this system and fire activity levels should stay limited through the weekend. The plume across the center of the state will mix down to the surface across eastern Montana this afternoon but impacts are expected to be temporary and only MODERATE. Smoke conditions near the active fires and under the plume centerlines is expected to be of concern, residents in those areas should use the visibility guidelines as the situation changes.
John Coefield
Meteorologist
MDEQ
