Char-Koosta News
The Official Publication of the Flathead Nation online
Fire Update:Thursday, August 2, 2007: Polson Air Quality updatePOLSON — Due to persistent levels in the 65+ mg/m3 for the 24 hour PM10 average at the Polson TEOM site we are going to bump the classification to Unhealthy. Unhealthy Increased aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; increased respiratory effects in the general population. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. The level is barely above the minimum but conditions are not forecast to change throughout the day. Ronan remains as “Unhealthy for Sensitive groups.” Randy Ashley Thurdsay,
August 2, 2007: Air Quality early warning The air is being continually monitored with expectations that more smoke will drop into the valley around noon today. The adverse air quality will persist as long as winds are prevailing from the current wildfires. It will be wise for some people to remain indoors
.Children and people with asthma are the groups most at risk. Symptoms
from short-term smoke exposure can range from scratchy throat, cough,
irritated sinuses, headaches, runny nose and stinging eyes, to more
serious reactions from persons with asthma, emphysema, congestive heart
disease and other existing medical conditions. Given the highly visible
nature of wildfire smoke, it is possible to make visual estimates of
smoke levels. Generally the worse the visibility is, the worse the
smoke. Here is a simple procedure on how to estimate potential health
effects. At 1_ to 2_ miles people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. Health effects appear due to increased aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; increased respiratory effects in general population. At 1 mile people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. Health effects appear due to significant aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; significant increased respiratory effects in general population. At 3/4 mile everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should remain indoors. Health effects appear due to serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; serious risk of respiratory effects in general population. These levels will vary throughout the Flathead Reservation. Folks can view more information at the state link: From there you can find on the left hand side several other useful sites: Health Effect categories http://www.deq.mt.gov/FireUpdates/SmokeCategories.asp Breakpoint & Associated Visibility http://www.deq.mt.gov/FireUpdates/Breakpoints.asp Visibility ranges http://www.deq.mt.gov/FireUpdates/VisibilityRanges.asp All which further assist in making a determination for the individual of the risk of outdoor smoke. The CSKT air quality website http://www.cskt.org/tr/epa_airquality.htm This website contains links to the Polson and Ronan Daily Summary Report where the individual can get current PM10 conditions (within the last hour). These can then be used with the charts provided by Montana DEQ. Thursday,
August 2, 2007: Other major
fires in Montana Up to a dozen homes were threatened by a new wildfire north of Thompson Falls that grew from 40 acres to 3,000 acres in less than 24 hours. The Chippy Creek fire was reported Tuesday afternoon and its cause was under investigation. It was burning west toward the Flathead Indian Reservation. No evacuations have been ordered. Flathead County authorities prepared to evacuate the Star Meadows area as a wildfire west of Whitefish continued to grow. The Brush Creek fire has burned 2,200 acres since Friday, and was spreading to the north and northeast, information officer Teresa Wenum said. The Sylvia Lake Campground and several area trails were closed. Southwest of Polson, crews gained ground on the 3,045-acre Garceau fire, which was 75 percent contained as of Wednesday morning. No homes were threatened, but 25 were still considered at risk and firefighters have structure protection in place, said Jill Cobb, fire information officer. In the Lolo National Forest, a wildfire north of Ovando grew to 3,750 acres and was advancing toward two cabins, information officer Sadie Campbell said. Structure protection was in place, and several area trails were closed. A new lightning-sparked fire in the Bitterroot National Forest quickly grew to nearly 300 acres, but was 20 percent contained Wednesday, spokeswoman Nan Christianson said. Three air tankers and three helicopters were on scene, and the blaze was burning in thick timber northeast of Painted Rocks Reservoir. Containment of the 2,800-acre Owl fire in the northwestern corner of Yellowstone National Park grew to 50 percent Wednesday, with cooler temperatures and higher humidity expected to further aid fire crews. A blaze in the backcountry was kicking up smoke after several days of inactivity, but was threatening no structures and being managed as a wildland fire because of its remote location. Garceau
Fire
Update Contact: Public Information Officers Terina Mullen
and Jill Cobb What:
Wildland fire, lightning caused Current size: 2,803 acres Yesterday’s Activities: Crews held containment lines previously constructed by dozers on the southern, western and eastern flanks; crews also checked for hot spots and mopped up approximately 70 feet into the black. The firefighters attempted to construct dozer and handline closer to the active fire on the northern flank. Unfavorable weather conditions, heavy fuel loads and steep terrain limited the success of line construction. Precautionary structure protection measures remain in place for homes in the immediate fire area. Resources on Fire: The number of firefighters assigned to the incident totals 235. Seven 20-person crews, 11 engines, 6 dozers and 3 water tenders are assigned to the fire. Today’s Strategy: Firefighters will assess and prepare for opportunities to conduct burnout operations and construct direct dozer line on the northern flank. Securing this section of the fire is the highest priority due to high timber values and heavy fuels. Crews along the remaining fire perimeter will continue to hold the existing dozer line and extend mop up operations to 200-300 feet into the black. Engines will continue with protection measure for structures potentially threatened by future fire spread to the northeast. Firefighting forces will preserve and protect cultural sites in the fire area. Special Messages: Firefighter and public safety is always the #1 priority on any fire incident. Local fire managers report current conditions as the driest in 34 years; local fire managers report that fire conditions are about three weeks ahead of what is typically observed at this point in the season. National firefighting resources are spread thin due to significant fire activity in the West. Prevention Messages: Stage II Fire Restrictions are in place. Campfires and open flames are not allowed. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, buildings and areas void of vegetation. Industrial operations are permitted during the hours between 1 a.m. and 1 p.m. only. For further fire information, visit: www.inciweb.org Fire restrictions in place for the Flathead Reservation Hot dry summer creates tinderbox conditions July 13, 2007 |
