September 13, 2020 - The U.S. Forest Service reports smoke and air quality outlook for the San Joaquin-Yosemite areas, due to the Creek Fire.

Fire: Yesterday containment went up to 8% on the west and south side of the fire with increased fire activity on the north end of the fire under clearer skies. Today will look much the same, except SE winds aloft will likely be switching to more directly S winds on the fire, and smoke plumes will likely go more directly north, rather than northwest.

Smoke: The more direct southerly winds today will enhance transport of potentially heavy smoke to our east side sites, but thin the inversion above ridgetops by afternoon, and possibly clear some low-lying sites by evening. Canyon and low-lying areas are likely to remain under inversions through at least the afternoon, with continued impacts into the Very Unhealthy/Hazardous range. Models show potential for some improvement late afternoon/evening. Tomorrow, the same pattern likely repeats.

Note: Forecasts reflect particulate matter from smoke only – not ozone or dust. Poor visibility, potentially less than 1/4 mile is possible under the smoke inversions in the canyons.

Source: USFS