North Coast Unified Air Quality press release:

Wildfire Smoke Public Service Announcement: Recent dry lightning strikes have caused many small fires in the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forest as well as State Responsibility Areas. Current weather forecasts show the recent low pressure moving out of the area and replaced by a warming trend with drier weather and moderate to light winds over the area. The Saddle Fire, located in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near the town of Hyampom, continues to produce smoke in nearby communities. At this time, smoke is laying in valleys but may lift and transport to further locations throughout the day. Satellite images show smoke traveled north toward Willow Creek and to the southeast past the Hyampom area.

In Del Norte County, the Buckskin Fire (now approximately 1,200 acres) located near Cave Junction, Oregon is producing smoke impacts in downwind areas southwesterly of the fire. Satellite imagery indicates that Smith River could be in the path of the smoke. Crescent City may also be experiencing smoke from the fire.

Forecasting smoke impacts can be challenging as smoke can vary widely within just a few miles as Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity Counties contain mountains, valleys, and a thousand different air flow patterns. Further Air Quality information will be provided to the public as updated information becomes available.

For 24-hour Air Quality Information, call the NCUAQMD’s hotline toll-free at 1-866-BURN-DAY (1-866-287-6329), or visit the website at www.ncuaqmd.org.