As expected, smoke from the Dismal Swamp fire has spread north and west this morning, essentially along Route 460 then north through the Tri-Cities into the metropolitan Richmond area. As a result, the following changes to today's air quality forecast are made effective immediately through 8:00 pm:

Code Purple: Suffolk
Code Red: Southampton and Isle of Wight counties.
Code Orange: Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Chesterfield, City of Richmond, Sussex, Surrey, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Powhatan, Goochland, Henrico and Hanover.

Dan Salkovitz
VADEQ Meteorologist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dan Salkovitz, (804) 698-4404 or Mike Kiss, (804) 698-4460

Air quality forecasts for August 24, 2011

More detailed information is available on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/.

***Smoke from the Dismal Swamp fire will affect Virginia on Wednesday. Code Orange to Code Red conditions are likely in Suffolk, Southampton County, and Isle of Wight County. Occasional Code Orange conditions are occasionally possible in the following counties/cites: Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Chesterfield, City of Richmond, Sussex, Surrey, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Henrico and Hanover.***

Hampton Roads
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Richmond
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Roanoke
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Winchester
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone


Health Information
Code Orange: Active children and adults, and people with heart or lung disease (including asthma) should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities.

Code Red: Active children and adults should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Code Purple: Active children and adults should avoid prolonged strenuous outdoor activities. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), and older adults should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities.

High air pollution levels can impair breathing, cause lung damage, coughing and eye irritation and put extra strain on the heart. Air pollution also can aggravate asthma, bronchitis or emphysema.

SMOKE INFORMATION:
Here are some general guidelines for citizens to use in assessing local air quality conditions whenever there is wildfire smoke present:

- If you can smell smoke with no visibility impairment, air quality levels are probably in the Code Orange range, or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. At Code Orange levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. People who are active outdoors also should take it easier to limit their exposure to particle pollution.

- If you can smell smoke with minor visibility impairment (visibility 1 to 3 miles), air quality levels are probably in the Code Red range, or generally Unhealthy. At Code Red levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities; everyone else should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

- If you can smell smoke with significant visibility impairment (visibility 1 mile or less), air quality levels are probably in the Code Purple range, or Very Unhealthy. At Code Purple levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities; everyone else should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

Dan Salkovitz
Meteorologist
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: (804) 698-4404
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/air/assessments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kristen Stumpf, (804) 698-4414 or Mike Kiss, (804) 698-4460

Air quality forecasts for August 23, 2011

More detailed information is available on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/.

***Winds coming from the north will continue to blow smoke from the Great Dismal Swamp fire towards North Carolina on Tuesday***

Hampton Roads
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Richmond
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Roanoke
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Winchester
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone


Health Information
Code Orange: Active children and adults, and people with heart or lung disease (including asthma) should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities.

Code Red: Active children and adults should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Code Purple: Active children and adults should avoid prolonged strenuous outdoor activities. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), and older adults should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities.

High air pollution levels can impair breathing, cause lung damage, coughing and eye irritation and put extra strain on the heart. Air pollution also can aggravate asthma, bronchitis or emphysema.

SMOKE INFORMATION:
Here are some general guidelines for citizens to use in assessing local air quality conditions whenever there is wildfire smoke present:

- If you can smell smoke with no visibility impairment, air quality levels are probably in the Code Orange range, or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. At Code Orange levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. People who are active outdoors also should take it easier to limit their exposure to particle pollution.

- If you can smell smoke with minor visibility impairment (visibility 1 to 3 miles), air quality levels are probably in the Code Red range, or generally Unhealthy. At Code Red levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities; everyone else should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

- If you can smell smoke with significant visibility impairment (visibility 1 mile or less), air quality levels are probably in the Code Purple range, or Very Unhealthy. At Code Purple levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities; everyone else should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

Kristen Stumpf
Meteorologist
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: (804) 698-4414
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/air/assessments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kristen Stumpf, (804) 698-4414 or Mike Kiss, (804) 698-4460

UPDATE: Air quality forecasts for August 22, 2011

More detailed information is available on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/.

***SMOKE FROM THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP WILDFIRE MAY IMPACT PORTIONS OF FAR SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS UNCERTAINTY WITH REGARDS TO THE DENSITY OF THE SMOKE FARTHER AWAY FROM THE FIRE LOCATION (THE DISMAL SWAMP). THEREFORE, THE AIR QUALITY FORECAST IS BASED ON WHERE THE WINDS INDICATE THE PLUME MAY IMPACT, REGARDLESS OF SMOKE DENSITY. GUIDELINES FOR ACCESSING LOCAL AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS DUE TO WILDFIRE SMOKE ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS EMAIL.

Overnight tonight, Code Orange conditions may occur east of the fire location, including the cities of Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach, as well as Northampton County. Any precipitation will help mitigate the smoke.

Beginning Monday morning, winds coming from the north will blow the smoke into North Carolina.***

AUGUST 22
Hampton Roads
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Richmond
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Roanoke
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Winchester
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone


Health Information
Code Orange: Active children and adults, and people with heart or lung disease (including asthma) should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities.

Code Red: Active children and adults should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Code Purple: Active children and adults should avoid prolonged strenuous outdoor activities. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), and older adults should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities.

High air pollution levels can impair breathing, cause lung damage, coughing and eye irritation and put extra strain on the heart. Air pollution also can aggravate asthma, bronchitis or emphysema.

SMOKE INFORMATION:
Here are some general guidelines for citizens to use in assessing local air quality conditions whenever there is wildfire smoke present:

- If you can smell smoke with no visibility impairment, air quality levels are probably in the Code Orange range, or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. At Code Orange levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. People who are active outdoors also should take it easier to limit their exposure to particle pollution.

- If you can smell smoke with minor visibility impairment (visibility 1 to 3 miles), air quality levels are probably in the Code Red range, or generally Unhealthy. At Code Red levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities; everyone else should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

- If you can smell smoke with significant visibility impairment (visibility 1 mile or less), air quality levels are probably in the Code Purple range, or Very Unhealthy. At Code Purple levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities; everyone else should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

Kristen Stumpf
Meteorologist
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: (804) 698-4414
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/air/assessments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kristen Stumpf, (804) 698-4414 or Mike Kiss, (804) 698-4460

SMOKE UPDATE: Air quality forecasts for August 21, and August 22, 2011

More detailed information is available on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/.

***SMOKE FROM THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP WILDFIRE WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA THROUGH THE WEEKEND. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS UNCERTAINTY WITH REGARDS TO THE DENSITY OF THE SMOKE FARTHER AWAY FROM THE FIRE LOCATION (THE DISMAL SWAMP). THEREFORE, THE AIR QUALITY FORECAST IS BASED ON WHERE THE WINDS INDICATE THE PLUME MAY IMPACT, REGARDLESS OF SMOKE DENSITY. GUIDELINES FOR ACCESSING LOCAL AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS DUE TO WILDFIRE SMOKE ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS EMAIL.

Calm winds have kept the plume close to the fire today and the air quality alert for code orange conditions near Richmond and the tri-cities has been dropped. This evening smoke may impact the following counties and cities: Suffolk, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Surry, and Sussex.

For Sunday, smoke is likely to impact areas north and northeast of the fire location, including Hampton Roads and Norfolk. The northern neck and eastern shore may also notice some smoke. Code Orange conditions may occur in the following counties and cities: Sussex, Surry, James City Co., Gloucester, Mathews, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Newport News, York, Poquoson, Hampton, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake.

On Monday, the winds are expected to shift and the plume will likely impact locations east, and then south, of the fire location.***

THIS FORECAST MAY BE UPDATED TOMORROW PENDING CONDITIONS.

AUGUST 21
Hampton Roads
Color Code: Orange - Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Richmond
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Roanoke
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Winchester
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

AUGUST 22
Hampton Roads
Color Code: Orange - Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Richmond
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Roanoke
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone

Winchester
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Ozone


Health Information
Code Orange: Active children and adults, and people with heart or lung disease (including asthma) should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities.

Code Red: Active children and adults should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Code Purple: Active children and adults should avoid prolonged strenuous outdoor activities. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), and older adults should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities.

High air pollution levels can impair breathing, cause lung damage, coughing and eye irritation and put extra strain on the heart. Air pollution also can aggravate asthma, bronchitis or emphysema.

SMOKE INFORMATION:
Here are some general guidelines for citizens to use in assessing local air quality conditions whenever there is wildfire smoke present:

- If you can smell smoke with no visibility impairment, air quality levels are probably in the Code Orange range, or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. At Code Orange levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. People who are active outdoors also should take it easier to limit their exposure to particle pollution.

- If you can smell smoke with minor visibility impairment (visibility 1 to 3 miles), air quality levels are probably in the Code Red range, or generally Unhealthy. At Code Red levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities; everyone else should reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

- If you can smell smoke with significant visibility impairment (visibility 1 mile or less), air quality levels are probably in the Code Purple range, or Very Unhealthy. At Code Purple levels, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid all outdoor strenuous activities; everyone else should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.

Kristen Stumpf
Meteorologist
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: (804) 698-4414
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/air/assessments