Satellite tv for pc-based sensing has change into an vital instrument for figuring out wildfire depth in actual time.
And the newest satellite tv for pc knowledge suggests a profound lessening of the Bolt Creek fireplace on US 2 close to Index.
Many climate satellites have delicate radiometers that may sense the warmth emitted by wildfires. The Bolt Creek fireplace actually was obvious in satellite tv for pc imagery over the weekend, however immediately there isn’t any apparent warmth signature (see beneath). No orange/pink dot.
The infrared satellite tv for pc picture tonight exhibits no black dot (black signifies heat temperatures in such imagery).
The seen satellite tv for pc image had an unimpeded view of the Bolt Fireplace space earlier than sundown. There’s nonetheless some smoke (which implies some low-level burning stays), however nothing like a couple of days in the past.
Situations have change into MUCH extra favorable for suppressing the fireplace. Some rain fell on the fireplace yesterday.
Importantly, the sturdy easterly (from the east) winds that stoked the fireplace initially are gone, changed by weak winds from the west. Temperatures have plummeted and relative humidity has gone up considerably.
For instance the main modifications, think about the observations of a close-by fire-weather web site (the Johnson Ridge RAWS web site at 2000 ft). The temperature went from close to 90F on Sept tenth to 66F immediately.
Relative humidity elevated from a stunningly low 15% to 90-100% immediately. Very favorable.
And useless gasoline moisture content material of grasses and small vegetation went from a really flammable 6% to a comparatively non-flammable 20% immediately.
Temperatures ought to keep cool and skies might be partly cloudy the subsequent few days within the neighborhood of the fireplace.
Lastly, the newest air high quality map exhibits good to first rate air high quality west of the Cascade crest, however smoky to the east. Tomorrow needs to be about the identical, however count on enchancment over inland areas on Wednesday. The worst is over people.
