Special Statement
Air Quality Alert is in effect for Mariposa, and the foothills and mountains of Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, and Tulare counties due to smoke impacts from the Ferguson Fire. For air quality forecasts for Sierra Forest and Yosemite Park go to this link: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/YosemiteArea
Fire
Fire spread into receptive fuel along with necessary firing operations produced nearly 3000 acres fire growth Thursday. An inversion present in the morning lifted in the afternoon, however winds were light. This scenario will once again be present today. Additional growth will occur due to continuation of critical firing and interior burning.
Smoke
An inversion will persist through late morning. Expect smoke movement upriver and valley drainages with east upslope during the afternoon. Smoke reverses course at night, with drainage to lower elevations and foothills, expect limited night time surface air quality improvement at higher elevations and elevated basins. This pattern should continue into early next week. Smoke from other fires will also be a factor.
Other
Note: This air quality forecast reflects only particulate matter - not Ozone.