Local fires as of Monday morning.

Press release from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District:

The McKinney Fire in Siskiyou is forecast to have Red Flag Warnings with potential for increased fire behavior. However, smoke from the Yeti Fire will continue to impact the communities down the Klamath River drainage, bringing smoke into Orleans and Weitchpec. Heavy smoke from the Six Rivers Lightning Complex is expected to impact Willow Creek and nearby communities with Very Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality. Westerly wind is expected to limit the amount of smoke impacting Weitchpec and Hoopa.

Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov. USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) are assigned to certain fires impacting our area and are providing daily Smoke Outlook Forecasts on one or more of these fires (https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook).

ALERT – Hazardous Conditions (AQI 301 and higher, 24 hr. avg):

  • Burnt Ranch, Salyer, Hawkins Bar – Overall Hazardous, with periods of Very Unhealthy

ADVISORY – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy Conditions (AQI 151-300 range, 24 hr. avg):

Humboldt County:

  • Willow Creek - Very Unhealthy, with periods of Hazardous in afternoon, some clearing overnight
  • Hyampom – Very Unhealthy, with possible improvement in afternoon

Trinity County:

  • Hayfork – Unhealthy this morning, clearing this afternoon, possible heavier smoke tonight

Regional Smoke Outlooks – Good, Moderate, to USG Conditions (AQI 0-150 range):

Humboldt County:

  • Eureka (including Scotia to Trinidad) – Good air quality conditions
  • Hoopa – Moderate to USG, with periods of Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy
  • Orleans – Moderate, with periods of Unhealthy mid-afternoon into evening
  • Garberville & Redway – Good

Del Norte County:

  • Crescent City – Good air quality conditions
  • Gasquet – Good
  • Klamath – Good

Trinity County:

  • Weaverville – Good
  • Douglas City – Good to Moderate
  • Trinity Center – Good
  • Lewiston – Good

Smoke Impact Summary

The McKinney Fire in Siskiyou is forecast to have Red Flag Warnings with potential for increased fire behavior. Smoke from the Yeti Fire will continue to impact the communities down the Klamath River drainage, bringing smoke into Orleans and Weitchpec. Heavy smoke from the Six Rivers Lightning Complex is expected to impact Willow Creek and nearby communities, with Hazardous air quality much of the day in Burnt Ranch. Periods of Hazardous are also likely in Willow Creek and Hyampom. Westerly wind is expected to limit the amount of smoke impacting Weitchpec and Hoopa.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are located in Crescent City, Weitchpec, Hoopa, Weaverville, and Eureka. Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov

Fire information can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ or https://fire.airnow.gov/. Current weather information can be found at www.wrh.noaa.gov. As with all wildfires, ash fallout is possible depending on fire activity and proximity to the fires. Ash fallout information can be found in the Wildfire Smoke Resources section of our webpage at www.ncuaqmd.org.

Health Information & Actions To Protect Yourself From Smoke Impacts

Concentrations of smoke may vary depending upon location, weather, and distance from the fire. Smoke from wildfires and structure fires contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. People who are at greatest risk of experiencing symptoms due to smoke include: those with respiratory disease (such as asthma), those with heart disease, young children, and older adults.

These sensitive populations should stay indoors and avoid prolonged activity. All others should limit prolonged or heavy activity and time spent outdoors. Even healthy adults can be affected by smoke. Seek medical help if you have symptoms that worsen or become severe.

Follow these general precautions to protect your health during a smoke event:

  • Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise.

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.

  • Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside – examples include swamp coolers, whole-house fans, and fresh air ventilation systems.

  • Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors. Change the standard air conditioner filter to a medium or high efficiency filter. If available, use the “re-circulate” or “recycle” setting on the unit.

  • Do not smoke, fry food, or do other things that will create indoor air pollution.

Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you have repeated coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue, lightheadedness.

For further information, visit the District’s website at www.ncuaqmd.org or call the District’s Wildfire Response Coordinator at (707) 443-3093 x122.