Wildfire smoke and air quality, September 5, 2017

(UPDATED at 9:08 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017)

Here is the latest version of NOAA’s wildfire smoke tracking analysis, created at 5:36 MDT September 5, 2017.

Wildfire smoke map
Wildfire smoke map, created at 5:36 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017. NOAA.

Below is an animated version of a smoke forecast for Tuesday through Wednesday.

****

(Updated at 5:47 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017)

Forecast for wildfire smoke
Forecast for wildfire smoke at 4 p.m. MDT September 7, 2017. By BlueSky.
Wildfire smoke Map
Wildfire smoke. Map created at 1:37 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017.

Here are two satellite photos of the Western United States. The first was taken on September 4 and the second was today, September 5.

satellite photo smoke wildfire
Satellite photo showing wildfire smoke, 4:17 p.m. MDT September 4, 2017. Click to enlarge.
satellite photo smoke wildfire
Satellite photo showing wildfire smoke, 12:42 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017.
Air Quality Index wildfire smoke
The AirNow map shows the Air Quality Index (combined particulates and ozone) at 8 a.m. MDT September 5, 2017.

Smoke from wildfires in the northwest United States is having a serious affect on some locations in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Other areas east and southeast of these states have also been affected in recent days.

An updated version of the smoke maps we have been posting this week is not available yet Tuesday morning at 9:36 a.m. MDT. We will add it to this article when it is. We checked a couple of other wildfire smoke sites and they are also not producing updated information.

****

(UPDATE at 1:10 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017)

Here is a link to an animation from satellite images that shows smoke being blown around the west. It might take a while to load. Be patient.

We checked more smoke sites and found one that is still working. Below is the forecast for smoke at 3 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017.

Smoke forecast, 3 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017
Smoke forecast, 3 p.m. MDT September 5, 2017

Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment.

Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

7 thoughts on “Wildfire smoke and air quality, September 5, 2017”

  1. Are the fires anywhere near Enterprise, Oregon? There is only one highway out of the valley and our daughter lives there…worried mom.

    0
    0
  2. Bill,
    Can you give us any links about the health of the general public inhaling the wildfire smoke. The news seems to catastophize (my word)the health warnings about breathing wild fire smoke from 100 miles away. We all get that it can be quite serious for people with respiratory problems, but are we really not supposed to be going outside at all. Some of us work outside. Are we to cancel school and work because of the air Quality? I’m just trying to get to the truth for healthy people. Thanks!

    0
    0
  3. We now have a fire burning north of Milner Colorado and west of of Steamboat Springs Colorado
    Sally J Ilko

    0
    0
  4. BILL
    WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ALL OF THE “SMOKE SITES” ??
    THEY SEEM TO MYSTERIOUSLY HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN . [more than one]
    IS THIS INTENTIONAL BECAUSE THE USFS ,IS GETTING TOO MUCH FLAK?
    TXS

    0
    0

Comments are closed.