Quebec Smoke in the Northeast July 2002

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Quebec Smoke in the NortheastJuly 2002

• Summarized by R. Poirot

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July 7, 2002 was one of the haziest days ever
observed in VT High PM concentrations, Poor
Visibility, unusual Yellow color
Photo by Peter Huoppi in the Burlington (VT) Free
Press 7/8/02 (taken 7/7/02)
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7/5/02 1500
Burlington, VT CAMNET
7/6/02 1500
7/7/02 1500
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Continuous Methods CAMM in Burlington TEOM in
Rutland Compared well with Collocated FRMs on
Peak Smoke Day
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Multiple Continuous PM-2.5 Methods in Rutland (
corresponding CO). Nephelometer typically
compares well, except at high RH (but not on 7/8)?
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Fires East of James Bay on July 6, 2000
Satellite Detected Canadian Fires, 1994-97
VT Impacts on 7/7/02 from Quebec fires were
Extreme, but smaller northern fire influences are
not uncommon.
Receptor Model Results on 1989-95 VT PM Data
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Similar Woodsmoke Source Identified by Battelle
Receptor Modeling at Lye Brook, VT also appears
to come from North Average Mass 2.42 ug/m3
32.0 of Total Fine Mass, Increasing Trend
Bext Major on Best 20 days, Minor on Worst 20
Days, Summer Maxima Major Mass Contributing
Species of Source OC, EC, S, K Major Species
Contributed by Source OC, Mn, V, K, EC
Battelle Guess Veg. Burning New Guess
Veg. Burning (local Can.)
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PM2.5 Hourly values in NY state
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TEOM Data in Maine
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Canadian Fires Larger Than 200 Hectares
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MODIS Global Web Fire Maps
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• Questions Some unusual aspects of the 7/7/02
  event
• Why was the Smoke Yellow (its usually Blue)?
• Why wasnt there much of a Smoky Smell other
  similarly distant fire impacts in VT (of lower
  mass impact) have typically come with strong
  aromatic Smoke odor)?
• Why is there an apparently strong diurnal Pattern
  (from such a distant source)?
• Comments - A great episode for further study
  because
• Widespread Haze PM-relevant, multi-jurisdictiona
  l impacts
• (Recent) Availability of lots of continuous
  PM-2.5 data
• (Recent) Accessibility to other info sources
  (ASOS, Satellite)
• Peak Impact day (7/7/02) was a FRM, STN, IMPROVE
  day.