Special Statement: Due to decreasing emissions, air quality is likely to remain good for much of this week. Daily outlooks will resume if and when fire activity increases again.

Fire: Containment on the Springs fire, a lighting-ignited wildfire, rose slightly yesterday to 27%, and smoke production from tactical firing continues to decline. Much of the smoke production today and for the rest of the week will likely be from residual burn down of areas already ignited. Some limited ignition will likely continue in the evening and overnight periods to further secure the containment area.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors returned to overall (24 hour AQI) values in the good (green) range under variable southerly winds. Today, with lower smoke production, all sites are likely to remain in the overall (24 hr AQI) good range, though some moderate morning hourly (NowCast) levels could occur in the Lee Vining/Mono Basin, Benton/Hammil Valley, and Crowley Lake/Long Valley areas. Tomorrow through the end of the week, this pattern of good air quality at all sites with occasional morning and/or evening light smoke/haze is expected to continue as emissions further subside.

Fire: The Springs Fire, a lightning-ignited wildfire, continued yesterday and last night to grow at about the same rate, further widening containment areas. Today, emissions will be minimal due to a hold on firing until southwesterly winds and/or favorable conditions return tomorrow (Monday).

Smoke: A brief period of NNE winds and reduced emissions due to the hold on firing will likely change the pattern of smoke transport from the Springs fire today. Local smoke in the vicinity of the fire and on 120 east was lighter this morning, and that smoke will likely clear by midmorning. Under these NNE winds this afternoon, Lee Vining and areas north of the fire should remain clear. South and west of the fire, models show some residual light smoke/haze from last night’s operations may briefly reach the June Lake, Devils Postpile, and Crowley Lake area, possibly even the Yosemite and Bishop areas. However, all sites are likely to remain in the good (green) AQI range today, and tomorrow.

Fire: The Springs Fire, a lightning-ignited wildfire, grew more quickly yesterday and last night as crews made more progress with the tactical firing to widen the controlled area, which is now over 20% complete. More firing is planned for today, with increasing emissions likely from tactical firing tomorrow.

Smoke: Yesterday, winds started from the NE and clocked around to the southwest briefly, bringing light smoke and haze south and west of the fire to the Lee Vining, Mammoth, and Crowley/June Lake areas, with some smoke aloft over Benton/Hammil Valley and Owens Lake areas by evening and early this morning. Today the southwest winds will likely be stronger and the effects to the south and west of the fire less noticeable, with more of the smoke heading to areas northeast of the fires. Tomorrow morning, some light smoke/haze may end up in the Benton/Hammil Valley area, and over the Bishop/Owens Valley area. Tomorrow morning and/or evening smoke in the moderate (yellow) to USG (orange) range could drain south toward the Crowley Lake/Mammoth area, depending on firing activity.

Fire: Containment on the Springs Fire grew to 70%, with 122 acres burned yesterday (4840 total acres through yesterday). Moderate fire behavior is continuing to be observed and is dependent on weather conditions. Smoke seen today can be attributed to smoldering fuels and daily ignitions required to secure perimeter control lines when conditions permit. Any ignitions today during daylight will be minimal in size due to forecast winds, thunderstorms and low humidity.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors (24 hour AQI) values remained in the “good” (green) range with the exception of the Devil’s Postpile AQ monitor that registered into the ”moderate” (yellow), the result of local emission sources. The Yosemite AQ monitor, like Devil’s Postpile, is reading moderate AQ levels from local sources. Residual smoke from the previous evening’s tactical firing operation will move northeast to east for the majority of the day and into the late evening. Later today, smoke and haze will move into the Bishop area. Mixing heights will remain shallow until early afternoon resulting in morning smoke along California Highway 120 east, east of US Highway 395.

Fire: Containment on the Springs fire, a lighting-ignited wildfire, remains at 23%, and smoke production is on the decline as the warming trend continues and the windows favorable to tactical firing operations narrow. Most of the smoke production today and tomorrow will likely occur in the evening and overnight.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors except for Benton again reported overall (24 hour AQI) values in the good (green) range under southwest winds. Tactical firing of the heavier fuels on the north end of the fire area likely contributed to the plume that affected Benton. Today, with lower smoke production and a more southerly wind direction, all sites are likely to return to the good range. More good air quality at all sites is expected for tomorrow as emissions further subside.

Fire: Containment on the Springs remained at 45%, with 97 acres burned yesterday (3431 total acres burned through yesterday’s ICS-209). Moderate fire behavior is continuing to be observed. Smoke production today will likely be from residual burn down of areas already ignited Monday night. Fire crews are expecting erratic winds and possible thunderstorms this afternoon so will be focused on holding firelines throughout the day. Very little interior igniting can be expected.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors (24 hour AQI) values remained in the good (green) range. Residual smoke from the previous evening’s tactical firing operation will move northwest causing light late morning - early afternoon smoke in the Lee Vining area. This smoke should dissipate by early afternoon, resulting in clear conditions with light haze. Limited smoke impacts are expected in the Owens Valley region south of the fire. Bishop, Mammoth, June, Benton (Light haze expected through the day and evening) Lee Vining (Expect periods of light smoke in the morning, late afternoon haze) Devil/Yosemite (Little to no effect from this fire; potential haze aloft)

Fire: Containment on the Springs Fire grew to 46%, with 134 acres burned yesterday (3538 total acres burned through yesterday’s ICS-209). Moderate fire behavior is continuing to be observed. Smoke today will likely be from residual burn down of areas ignited during Tuesday night, combined with ignitions planned for this morning, tonight and tomorrow. Forecast thunderstorms may delay ignitions today as high winds and lightning are expected.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors (24 hour AQI) values remained in the good (green) range. Residual smoke from the previous evening’s tactical firing operation will move north-northeast over Lake Mono and then dispersing to the northeast. This smoke will shift to the east-southeast by late afternoon-early evening. Limited smoke impacts are expected in the Benton area southeast of the fire. Light haze will be evident in Owens Valley.

Fire: Containment on the Springs Fire grew to 48%, with 167 acres burned yesterday (3673 total acres burned through yesterday’s ICS-209). Moderate fire behavior is continuing to be observed. Smoke today will likely be from residual burn down of areas ignited to further secure the fire perimeter Wednesday night. Ignitions are planned for this morning and this evening as conditions permit.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors (24 hour AQI) values remained in the good (green) range. Residual smoke from the previous evening’s tactical firing operation will move north-northeast for the majority of the day and into the late evening. In the Owens Valley today, some monitors will move into the “moderate” range for short periods this morning and early afternoon otherwise, light haze can be anticipated. After midnight and into early Friday morning light smoke is forecast to move east-southeast toward Benton then down the east side of Owens Valley.

Fire: Containment on the Springs Fire grew to 50%, with 148 acres burned yesterday (3992 total acres burned through yesterday’s ICS-209). Moderate fire behavior is continuing to be observed. Smoke today will likely be from residual burn down of areas ignited to further secure the fire perimeter Thursday night. Ignitions are planned for this morning and this evening as conditions permit.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors (24 hour AQI) values remained in the good (green) range with the exception of the Benton AQ monitor which recorded a moderate (yellow) grade. Residual smoke from the previous evening’s tactical firing operation will move north-northeast for the majority of the day and into the late evening. In the Owens Valley today, some monitors may move into the “moderate” range for short periods this morning and early afternoon otherwise, light haze can be anticipated. After midnight and into early Friday morning light smoke is forecast to move east-southeast toward Benton then down the east side of Owens Valley.

Fire: Containment on the Springs Fire grew to 68%, with 376 acres burned yesterday (4718 total acres through yesterday). Moderate fire behavior is continuing to be observed and is dependent on weather conditions. Smoke seen today can be attributed to overnight smoldering fuels and daily ignitions as conditions permit. No ignitions are planned for today during daylight hours as forecast winds and low humidity will result in undesirable fire behavior.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors (24 hour AQI) values remained in the “good” (green) range with the exception of the Devil’s Postpile AQ monitor that registered into the ”moderate” (yellow). Mammoth, Lee Vining, and Bishop AQ monitors did exceed the “good”(green) range for brief periods in the morning and early afternoon but later returned to “good” with the onset of afternoon winds. These same communities registered a 24 hour average of “good” for the last day of August. Residual smoke from the previous evening’s tactical firing operation will move northeast to east for the majority of the day and into the late evening. Mixing heights will remain shallow until early afternoon pushing smoke along California 120 east. Lee Vining and Benton communities may see some smoke and haze today.

Transportation Safety: Smoke may cause visibility to be limited along California 120 near or east of the fire today through the early afternoon. Please be advised to use caution when driving or recreating along or near this road.