FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Air quality forecasts for May 17, 2011

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

***PLEASE NOTE WE CONTINUE TO WATCH SMOKE CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA DUE TO THE LARGE WILDFIRE LOCATED SOUTHWEST OF MANTEO, NC. SMOKE PLUME MODELS INDICATE THAT SMOKE MAY REACH PARTS OF THE HAMPTON ROADS AREA BY TOMORROW MORNING. SMOKE MAY ALSO REACH THE RICHMOND AREA IN THE AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY HELP TO MITIGATE SMOKE IN EITHER THE HAMPTON ROADS OR RICHMOND AREAS. ***BOTH AREA FORECASTS MAY BE UPDATED TOMORROW MORNING IF IT APPEARS THAT SMOKE MAY BECOME AN ISSUE IN THOSE AREAS TOMORROW AFTERNOON.*** GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CITIZENS TO ASSESS LOCAL AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS DUE TO WILDFIRE SMOKE ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS FORECAST EMAIL.***

Hampton Roads
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution
(***This forecast may be updated in the morning if conditions warrant***)

Richmond
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution
(***This forecast may be updated in the morning if conditions warrant***)

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

Winchester
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution


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 due to wildfire smoke:

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

Air quality forecasts for May 14, May 15 and May 16, 2011

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

***PLEASE NOTE WE CONTINUE TO WATCH SMOKE CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA DUE TO A LARGE WILDFIRE LOCATED WEST OF MANTEO, NC. SMOKE PLUME MODELS INDICATE THAT SMOKE MAY CONTINUE TO REACH PARTS OF THE HAMPTON ROADS AREA THROUGH TOMORROW EVENING. SMOKE MAY ALSO REACH AREAS EAST AND NORTHEAST OF THE RICHMOND AREA THROUGH MID-DAY OR EARLY TOMORROW AFTERNOON. ***THE RICHMOND AREA FORECAST MAY BE UPDATED TOMORROW IF IT APPEARS THAT SMOKE MAY BECOME AN ISSUE IN THAT AREA.*** GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CITIZENS TO ASSESS LOCAL AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS DUE TO WILDFIRE SMOKE ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS FORECAST EMAIL.***

MAY 14:
Hampton Roads
Color Code: Orange - Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality (AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY)
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Richmond
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality (*This forecast may be updated if conditions warrant*)
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Roanoke
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Winchester
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution


MAY 15:
Hampton Roads
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

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

Roanoke
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Winchester
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution


MAY 16:
Hampton Roads
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Richmond
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Roanoke
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

Winchester
Color Code: Green - Good air quality
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution


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 due to wildfire smoke:

- 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, 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, 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 Fax: (804) 698-4510
Phone toll-free in Virginia: (1-800) 592-5482 ext. 4404
Work Email: Daniel.Salkovitz@deq.virginia.gov
Other Email: dsalkovi@yahoo.com
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/
http://www.deq.virginia.gov/air/assessments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Air quality forecasts for May 13, 2011

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

***PLEASE NOTE WE ARE WATCHING SMOKE CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA DUE TO A LARGE WILDFIRE LOCATED WEST OF MANTEO, NC. SMOKE PLUME MODELS INDICATE THAT SMOKE MAY REACH PARTS OF THE HAMPTON ROADS AREA BY TOMORROW MORNING. SMOKE MAY ALSO REACH THE RICHMOND AREA IN THE AFTERNOON. ***THE RICHMOND AREA FORECAST MAY BE UPDATED TOMORROW MORNING IF IT APPEARS THAT SMOKE MAY BECOME AN ISSUE IN THAT AREA TOMORROW AFTERNOON.*** GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CITIZENS TO ASSESS LOCAL AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS DUE TO WILDFIRE SMOKE ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS FORECAST EMAIL.***

Hampton Roads
Color Code: Orange - Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality (AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY)
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution due to NC wildfire smoke

Richmond
Color Code: Yellow - Moderate air quality (***This forecast may be updated in the morning if conditions warrant***)
Primary Pollutant: Particle pollution

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

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


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 due to wildfire smoke:

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

Air quality forecasts for May 12, 2011

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

***PLEASE NOTE WE ARE WATCHING SMOKE CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA DUE TO A LARGE WILDFIRE LOCATED WEST OF MANTEO, NC. SMOKE FROM THAT 21,000 ACRE FIRE HAS BEEN REPORTED TODAY, MAY 11TH, NEAR THE VIRGINIA/NORTH CAROLINA BORDERS. IT MAY SLOWLY MOVE FURTHER NORTH AND WEST INTO VIRGINIA OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CITIZENS TO ASSESS LOCAL AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS DUE TO WILDFIRE SMOKE ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS FORECAST EMAIL.***

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

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

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

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


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 due to wildfire smoke:

- 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, 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, 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
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

**CORRECTED PRIMARY POLLUTANT FOR WINCHESTER**

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

Air quality forecasts for May 11, 2011

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

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.

Dan Salkovitz
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