SMOKE

[ponytug]

The smoke came down here last night; the fires in Oregon and Northern California move offshore there and then move along the coast before coming in here. Last night the AQIs were from 70-150 in the area. Yuck.

A large area of North America has air quality issues at the moment;

I think that it is going to take years to sort how to care for our forests. One of the things that has become clear is that controlled burns to lighten the fuel load in the understory leads to much lower intensity, less risky and more manageable fires. Getting there involves changing a hundred or so years of forestry practices here.

In the interim, I'm glad that we have a whole house electronic precipitator. It isn't perfect, but it does clean up the particles pretty effectively.

BTW, a P100 respiratory is about ten tIke's more effective than an N95 mask, and a powered respirator is 1,000 or so times better. (Of course a powered respirator is close to 1,000 times more expensive, too.)

All the best,

Peter

 

[oosik]

That map - ponytug. Makes the PNW look like some type of pizza. Whatever - another morning w/out smoke.

 

[Molalla1]

That map - ponytug. Makes the PNW look like some type of pizza. Whatever - another morning w/out smoke.

It's cleared out my way to, although it hasn't been all that bad hear.

 

[ponytug]

Here is the map, in case you want to add it to your bookmarks;
Fire and Smoke Map
The smoke plumes are satellite based, I think so there is sometimes a plume "in the area" but it is a couple thousand feet up.
PurpleAir also runs many of the same data, but no smoke plumes;

Real-Time Air Quality Map | PurpleAir

Real time measurement of air quality on a public map. Useful to community scientists or air quality professionals alike, PurpleAir sensors are easy to install, requiring only a power outlet and WiFi.

map.purpleair.com

I find both maps helpful.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Diggin It]

Curious if you were caught up in that since it was kinda close to you.

 

[oosik]

It rained here a week ago. No smoke since the rain.

 

[grsthegreat]

Still smoky here. Supposed to rain tomorrow,….but well see. Last week they had a 100% chance of rain. Didnt see a drop

 

[oosik]

We had rain - again. Yesterday afternoon and last night. 0.10". I know - for some of you - that's not much. But around here - it keeps things wet and clears the air.

 

[ponytug]

AQI here of 160+ this morning with visibility of less than a mile. Ick!

So much for outdoor projects today, or tomorrow. Given the huge number of acres burning in Northern California and Oregon, and the low containment levels, I expect this to continue for weeks.

Stay safe out there.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Cougsfan]

I have been wondering how you have been, there have been fires close by on all sides of you. Glad to see you are OK! Hopefully the seemingly now annual fire season is over.