11/28/16 Air Quality Summary Report - Wildfires in Western NC

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Air Quality Summary Report – Wildfires in Western NC

Monday November 28, 2016      

Joint Information Center: 828.575.2840, http://ncjic.blogspot.com/

Monitoring:  Portable PM2.5 monitors are currently placed in Robbinsville, Andrews, Franklin, Brevard, Burnsville, Hendersonville, and Marion. Permanent monitors are located in Bryson City, Spruce Pine and Asheville.

Yesterday: Franklin has recorded smoke levels in the Hazardous (AQI –Code Maroon) range since late yesterday afternoon, and these levels have decreased through the evening and early this morning but are still in the Very Hazardous (AQI- Code Purple) range. Because of wildfire burnout operations, many other communities in Western NC saw increased levels of smoke yesterday. Robbinsville, Burnsville and Asheville saw levels in the USG (AQI-Code Orange) range. Andrews, Bryson City, Hendersonville and Spruce Pine saw levels in the Moderate range (AQI-Code Yellow).

Today: As of early this morning, the Franklin area is still seeing high smoke concentrations, and has moved into the Very hazardous level (AQI-Code Purple). Marion is in the USG (AQI-Code Orange) range this morning and is expected to decrease soon. Most of the other Western NC communities are in the Moderate (AQI-Code Yellow) levels as of early this morning. With the expected fire behavior, increase in winds (which would dissipate the smoke), and anticipated rains later today, areas of WNC are expected to see a gradual improvement in air quality today through tonight.

Tomorrow:  With the existing cold front, expected wind speeds and scattered rain, all communities in Western NC are expected to see improved air quality in the Good range tomorrow. Some areas could see some drifting smoke and residual smoldering may occur, affecting areas immediately downwind of ongoing fires.

North Carolina Division of Air Quality (DAQ) Air Quality Forecast:  NC DAQ issues an air quality forecast for the entire state each day. Their forecast is for broad geographical areas and is complementary to our more community-specific focus which looks at localized short-term impacts due to the wildfires. To the upper right is the NC DAQ forecast map for today. Note that DAQ may update its forecast throughout the day at https://xapps.ncdenr.org/aq/ForecastCenter. 

For more information about North Carolina air quality updates: https://xapps.ncdenr.org/aq/ForecastCenter

For more information about National Forests in North Carolina:https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/\