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Smoke Update
for
Friday, September 19, 2008 10:00 AM

Satellite Photos | Locations and Smoke Conditions


Today's Report and Forecast Today's Summary
Another smoky, hazy day is in store today as smoke trapped under a high pressure ridge continues to impact Montana and the rest of the norhtwest. Levels are at UNHEALTHY in Missoula this morning and MODERATE
in Whitefish, Helena and Great Falls. Most of the smoke is residual smoke left over after several active days of burning by fires in Oregon. Local smoke impacts are also occurring near several active fires in the state as well.

Some improvement is expected later this morning and this afternoon as the mixing height rises and the smoke trapped in the valleys has a chance to mix up. Southwest Montana will see some scattered convection and better dispersion late this afternoon and condition there should improve a lot. There is a strong trough headed into the state Saturday and skies will clear over the weekend.		 Hazy skies are widespread and particulate levels are higher than yesterday across the state today. Missouls is at UNHEALTHY. Whitefish, Great Falls, and Helena are at MODERATE.
Residents near active fires and under plumes aloft need to remain aware of current conditions and use the visibility guidelines to guide their activity decisions as the situation changes.

John Coefield
Meteorologist
Air Resource Management Bureau
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
406-444-5272
406-465-0835 (Mobile)



Morning satellite photo centered on Great Falls. 



 




This morning’s analysis from NOAA’s satellite services division shows the active fires in Montana uhder the region wide plume of smoke covering the northwest. (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 

The smoke report below compares particulate levels where information is available to MDEQ’s Health Effects Categories. 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. These advisories represent conditions between midnight and 8 AM and may change substantially throughout the day.

Locations and severity of forest fire smoke reports since midnight of the date above at reporting stations.
Health Effects Categories City
  Hazardous  
  Very Unhealthy  
  Unhealthy  Missoula T(24)
  Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups  
  Moderate

 Whitefish T(24)
Helena T(24)
Great Falls T(24) 
B1(x) One-hour BAM value (number of values)
B8(x) Eight-hour average BAM
B24 24 hour  average BAM 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.