2006 Forest Fire Air Quality Updates
September 6, 2006
10:00 AM
Current Situation
Smoke levels in most areas are a little better today but Bozeman is still getting VERY UNHEALTHY levels of smoke from the Big Creek and Derby Fires. VERY UNHEALTHY or worse conditions are also expected in the Mill Creek valley, portions of the Paradise Valley and the Yellowstone and east and west Boulder river valleys from Livingston to Columbus in those areas nearest the active fires. Widespread UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS levels are being measured this morning in all of the reporting stations west of the divide and at some locations east of the divide as well. We are getting some movement of the residual smoke out of the state at this time and this will help some areas. See the forecast below for details. Local episodes of severe smoke impacts are likely in many areas today, residents 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.
Morning satellite photo centered on Great Falls
MODIS satellite image from yesterday (Sep 05) taken at
2:35 PM
MODIS satellite image Heavens Gate Meadow September 5,
2006
MODIS satellite image Derby Fire September 5, 2006
MODIS satellite image Ulm Peak, Sun Dog September 5, 2006
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 6, 2006
Locations and severity of forest fire smoke reports since midnight of the date above at reporting stations.
| Smoke Conditions | City |
|---|---|
| Hazardous | |
| Very Unhealthy | Bozeman Vis(8) Mill Creek area (est) Derby Fire area (est) |
| Unhealthy | Butte T24 |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Libby T1 Whitefish T24 Kalispell T24 Polson T24 Missoula T24 Helena Vis(8) Livingston Vis(8) |
| Moderate | Great Falls Vis(1) |
| Good |
|
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
Northwest flow aloft continues this morning. This has started to move some of the residual smoke aloft out of the state. There will still be some smoke that has looped up though Canada from the Tripod fire in Washington moving across eastern Montana today before it clears out. Areas that do not get additional new smoke today could see better air quality conditions tomorrow. Westerly flow aloft along the Montana/Idaho border will be moving smoke into the state from the west through the day. This smoke will mix down to the surface this afternoon and areas under the thickest portions of the plume aloft will see locally heavy smoke impacts for a few hours. Easterly flow continues in the lower atmosphere and this will keep Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley smoky this morning. The area along the Yellowstone River drainage from Gardiner to Columbus will see very smoky conditions as well. Local fire activity will be an issue in some locations in western Montana this morning and smoke could be a problem there as well. Smoke conditions will continue to be locally variable and dangerous conditions are possible in many areas. Residents are strongly cautioned to check there local conditions using the visibility guidelines to guide their activity decisions as the situation changes.
John Coefield
Meteorologist
MDEQ
