The following message is transmitted at the request of the New
Mexico department of health and New Mexico environment department.
Smoke plumes from the Whitewater Baldy fire complex are expected to
track toward the east-northeast early today and generally west to
east this afternoon and tonight as transport winds become more
westerly. This will force the most significant smoke impacts farther
east and south and into areas from eastern and northern Socorro
County across southeast Valencia... Torrance and Lincoln counties and
points farther east-northeast.
Areas immediately east and northeast of the fire complex will be
most significantly impacted. Communities such as Datil...
Magdalena... Bernardo... Belen... Corona... Mountainair... and Estancia
are expected to experience the most significant impacts today.
Smoke impacts will shift farther south this evening and
overnight... with Socorro... Carrizozo... and Ruidoso likely to be
impacted.
If heavy smoke is present... outdoor activities should be
minimized. Remember... your eyes are your best tools to determine
if it is safe to be outside. If visibility is ten miles or
higher... the air quality is good... six to nine miles... air quality
is moderate... three to five miles... air quality is unhealthy for
sensitive people... one and a half to two and a half miles... air
quality is unhealthy... one to one and a quarter miles... air
quality is very unhealthy... and three quarters of a mile or
less... air quality is hazardous.
Kj
