2006 Forest Fire Air Quality Updates
September 12, 2006
10:00 AM
Current Situation
There is a lot more smoke aloft visible over the state this on this morning’s satellite photo. More smoke is on the way from the fires west of Montana as well. The smoke is not on the surface right now and there are no strong smoke impacts reported at this time. The dispersion today will be good to excellent and that will mix the smoke aloft down to the surface today producing some local smoke problems. See the forecast below for details. Local smoke impacts near the active fires in the state are still expected to be a problem today. Residents near the active fires in the state should pay attention to conditions in their area and use the VISIBILITY GUIDELINES to determine smoke levels in their area and guide their activity decisions through the day as conditions change.
Morning satellite photo centered on Great Falls
WeatherBug web cam photo of Livingston, MT 59047 by Pat Gilligan
DEQ web cam facing north towards the "Sleeping Giant" mountain
MODIS Active Fire Mapping Program
This morning’s analysis from NOAA's satellite services division shows the active fires in Montana and the smoke plumes combining and spreading downwind (the analyzed smoke is based on yesterday’s satellite coverage, the fire detects are based on last nights satellite coverage).
Red indicates hot spot detected. Grey represents smoke seen by satellite. Fire
size is exaggerated for visibility at this scale. To identify individual fires on graphic above go
here: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php
Real time particulate information is currently available in most of the larger urban areas from several different sources including: DEQ run PM-10 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. Smoke Categories
Updated 10:00 AM September 12, 2006
Locations and severity of forest fire smoke reports since midnight of the date above at reporting stations.
| Smoke Conditions | City |
|---|---|
| Hazardous | |
| Very Unhealthy | |
| Unhealthy | Active Fire area (est) |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | |
| Moderate | Hamilton T8 |
|
T1(x) |
One-hour TEOM value (number of values) |
| T8(x)) | Eight-hour average TEOM value (number of values) |
| T244 | 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.
Forecast
There will be a lot more general haze across the state today as a westerly flow moves smoke from the fires in Montana and the states to the west through the area. Dispersion will be good to excellent in most areas and the smoke will mix down to the surface producing local and intermittent smoke impacts in many areas. Fire activity levels are expected to increase today and tomorrow ahead of the weather system heading our way late Wednesday and Thursday. Gusty westerly winds today will be followed by southwesterly winds tomorrow and then northerly winds and a rain/snow mix by Thursday. Smoke impacts will still be a problem for the next two days, residents are cautioned to check their local conditions using the visibility guidelines to guide their activity decisions as the situation changes.
John Coefield
Meteorologist
MDEQ
