Smoke from the McFarland Fire. | InciWeb

A joint message from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District:

The Monument Fire, McFarland Fire, River Complex, and Antelope Fire continue to produce heavy smoke impacts. The USFS Air Resource Advisor on the Monument and McFarland fires indicate that gradual west to east improvement of smoke impacts will continue today as west to northwest winds increase and the inversion lifts. The improvement will continue until Wednesday when shifting winds are forecast to occur. This smoke clearing may also increase fire behavior.

Air quality monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov. USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARA) assigned to the Monument/McFarland and River Complex fires provides daily ARA Smoke Outlook Forecasts at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks.

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

  • Weaverville, Lewiston – Mostly Hazardous conditions, possible improvement overnight 
  • Junction City – Mostly Hazardous conditions
  • Douglas City – Mostly Hazardous conditions

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

  • Hayfork – Overall Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy conditions 
  • Trinity Center/Coffee Creek – Overall Very Unhealthy to Hazardous conditions
  • Platina area – Overall Unhealthy, with possible return to worsened conditions Tues/Wed

Regional Smoke Outlooks – Good, Moderate, to USG Conditions (AQI 0-150 range, 24 hr avg):

Humboldt County:

  • Eureka (including Scotia to Trinidad) – Good conditions today
  • Orleans – Good to Moderate with USG to Unhealthy returning on Tuesday
  • Weitchpec – Good conditions
  • Hoopa – Good overall, with possible USG on Tues/Wed 
  • Willow Creek – Good overall, with a possible return to USG to Unhealthy on Tues/Wed
  • Garberville, Redway – Good conditions, with possible Moderate to USG on Tues/Wed

Del Norte County:

  • Crescent City – Good conditions
  • Gasquet – Good to Moderate conditions
  • Klamath – Good conditions

Trinity County: (see above Advisory and Alerts)

  • Burnt Ranch – Good to Moderate overall, with possible return to worsened conditions Tues/Wed

Smoke Impact Summary

The Monument Fire, McFarland Fire, River Complex, and Antelope Fire will be active again today. In areas near the fires, the USFS Air Resource Advisors indicate that we should expect more smoke impacts to influence air quality in communities near the fire and towards the east. We are starting out today with less smoke over the fires, which may help reduce the severity of the smoke impacts compared to what was experienced yesterday evening. This smoke clearing may also increase fire behavior. The arrival of offshore winds is expected Tuesday and Wednesday. Smoke is expected to impact areas west and south of the fires beginning on Wednesday/Thursday.

If you are in areas that continue to be Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality, it is really important to take health and safety precautions. Take actions to limit outdoor activity and smoke exposure. Learn how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Visit the Wildfire Smoke Resources section of our webpage at www.ncuaqmd.org.

In Trinity County, High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters have been placed at the following locations:

  • Trinity County Library, 351 Main St., Weaverville Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1:00pm - 6:00pm; Tuesday/Thursday 10:00am - 6:00 pm
  • Trinity County Health and Human Services Murray Building (Next to Sheriff Substation),6641 Hwy 3, Hayfork Hours: Tuesday/Friday 9:00am-4:00pm

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are located in Crescent City, Weitchpec, Hoopa, Willow Creek, Weaverville, Hayfork, Eureka, and Garberville. 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.