Swcc Regional Smoke Outlook for June 12-13
Incident: Silver Fire Wildfire
Released: 4 hrs. ago
Related Information
Smoke Outlook-
Updated 1400 MDT June 12, 2013 Valid through June 13, 2013
The most significant smoke impacts from the Thompson Ridge, Silver, and Jaroso fires will be in the communities down drainage of the fires tomorrow morning. Those communities most likely impacted by smoke from the Thompson Ridge Fire are Jemez Springs, La Cueva, and the Jemez Pueblo. Those communities most likely impacted by smoke from the Silver fire are the communities of Hillsboro, and communities in the Mimbres Valley south of San Lorenzo, including Silver City. Those communities most likely impacted by smoke from the Jaroso fire are Chimayo, Cundiyo, and Nambe.
Potentially unhealthy conditions (visibility of 1.5 to 2.75 miles or less) could occur. If they do, sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities.
Winds will push smoke from the Jaroso and Thompson Ridge fires towards the northeast during the day today. Smoke from the Jaroso fire may be significant at times today and will be transported along the crest of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains northeast towards Mora, Eagle Nest and Taos. Smoke from Thompson Ridge will be transported over the area northeast towards Abiquiu, El Rito, and Taos. Lighter winds will push smoke north from the Silver fire toward Magdalena, potentially reaching Albuquerque tomorrow morning. The majority of the smoke from all of the fires is expected to stay above ground level (e.g., not at a level where people breathe in the smoke).
No significant impacts are expected in communities downwind of these fires; however, occasionally elevated levels of smoke may occur at ground level for a few hours.
Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather. If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur. Many communities in this area may experience periods of air quality which are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (visibility of 3 to 5 miles), late tonight and tomorrow morning. When the visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities. Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.
Your eyes are your best tools to determine if itÂ’s safe to be outside. Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good.
Remember:
if visibility is 11 miles and up, the air quality is Good; six to ten miles, air quality is Moderate; three to five miles, air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups; one and a half to two and three quarter miles, air quality is Unhealthy; one to one and a quarter miles, air quality is Very Unhealthy; and one mile or less, air quality is Hazardous.
Be aware that swamp coolers pull smoke from the outside into your house and should not be used when conditions outside are smoky.
For information about health effect of smoke, including actions individual can take to protect themselves, and guidance on distances and visibility, based on the location of current fires, please visit nmtracking.org/fire.
Updated information on fire activity in the Southwest can be found in the SWCC Morning Intelligence Briefing
Additional smoke information can be found at the SWCC Smoke Impact Awareness page