1

APPENDIX C

METEOROLOGICAL ANALYSIS

June 27, 2008

The added emissions from an unprecedented number of lightning-generated 

wildfires in northern and central California caused an exceedance of the 1-hour 

federal ozone standard at Folsom on June 23, 2008 (refer to discussion of 

Episode 1). Over the next several days, the wildfires continued to burn.

Although wildfire emissions continued to cause elevated ozone concentrations

during this time period, concentrations did not exceed the standard, because

increased dispersion served to dilute the added emissions burden. However, as 

more stable conditions settled over the area, the continuing wildfire emissions 

that were transported into the Sacramento Valley, along with a substantial 

amount of wildfire-related ozone carried over from the previous day, resulted in 

an exceedance of the 1-hour standard at the Folsom site on June 27. Although 

wildfire emissions can be layered throughout the atmosphere, this analysis 

focuses on emissions in the mixed layer because emissions in this layer impact 

ground level ozone concentrations. In this document the mixed layer is 

considered that portion of the lower atmosphere where temperature decreases 

with height from the ground to the base of the lowest inversion layer. 

Analysis

Hundreds of wildfires started by lightning strikes during the June 20-21, 2008, 

storm system continued to burn and grow in size. By June 27, many of the fires 

that ringed the Sacramento Valley were more than 300 acres in size, and a 

substantial number were more than 10,000 acres in size. Overall, nearly 200 

fires, totaling tens of thousands of acres, had burned in and around the 

Sacramento Valley (see Figure 1 and Table 1), and emissions from the

numerous wildfires continued to drift into the Sacramento Valley, building up and 

impacting ambient ozone concentrations. 

The Day before the Exceedance: Meteorological conditions on the day 

preceding the June 27 exceedance were similar to those preceding the June 23 

exceedance. As wildfires burned in the Coast Range Mountains, flow from the 

northwest transported emissions from these fires to the San Francisco Bay Area 

(Bay Area; see Figures 2 through 5). During the daylight hours on June 26, the 

prevailing southwest surface winds carried these fire-related emissions from the 

Bay Area into the southern Sacramento Valley (see Figures 6 and 7). The 

mid-day NASA satellite image shows a relatively thick layer of smoke from the

surrounding fires covering the northern portion of the Bay Area and southern 

portion of the Sacramento Valley (refer to Figure 2).

The build-up of smoke throughout the southern Sacramento Valley and its 

presence at ground level is confirmed by airport visibility observations. Figures 3
2

through 5 show the reduction in visibility from early morning to late afternoon. 

During the early morning hours (0300-0400 PST), there was some reduction in 

visibility in the Bay Area (7 to 10 miles), with more substantial reductions in the 

southern Sacramento Valley (4 to 6 miles). These were accompanied by reports 

of smoke and haze (refer to Figure 3). Later in the morning (0900-1000 PST), 

wildfire emissions started to build-up in the areas surrounding Folsom, and 

visibilities in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada were as low as 1.5 miles (refer to 

Figure 4). By 1500 PST, wildfire emissions had been transported and 

concentrated in the southern Sacramento Valley (refer to Figure 5). Sites in the 

Folsom area reported visibilities in the range of 1.5 to 3 miles, and smoke was 

observed in the air. Although the wildfire impact did not cause an exceedance on 

June 26, the associated wildfire-generated pollutants and emissions persisted 

into the next day, resulting in a very high level of ozone carryover at Folsom.

The Day of the Exceedance: Several factors contributed to the June 27 ozone 

exceedance at Folsom. First, there was a very high level of ozone carried over 

from the previous day. The low mixing height and eddy circulation pattern during 

the early morning hours kept emissions carried over from the previous day 

trapped near the ground in the southern Sacramento Valley. Ozone 

concentrations within this air mass were about one-third the level of the federal 

1-hour standard and about three times higher than normal (see Figure 8). This 

high starting level was added to during the day of June 27.

Second, the wind direction was optimal for transporting additional emissions from 

the fire areas to the southern Sacramento Valley. During the very early morning 

hours of June 27, surface air movement in the southern Sacramento Valley was 

controlled by the typical downslope drainage flow. Drainage flow from the 

northeast carried emissions from wildfires burning in the Sierra Nevada 

Mountains (see Table 2). During this same time period, drainage flow from the 

west-southwest carried emissions from fires burning in the Coast Range 

Mountains (see Table 3). Emissions from both directions were transported into 

the southern Sacramento Valley. 

In addition to the drainage flow, there was sea breeze flow from the Bay Area 

through the Carquinez Strait (see Figure 9). These light winds were driven by a 

weak onshore pressure gradient. The pressure gradient is the difference in 

atmospheric pressure between two areas, and it provides a force which moves 

air from higher to lower pressure. At 0400 PST, the surface pressure difference 

was 1.6 millibars between San Francisco (KSFO; higher pressure area) and 

Sacramento (KSAC; lower pressure area). The sea breeze winds decreased as 

they reached the southern Sacramento Valley, setting up a localized eddy 

circulation in the southwestern portion of the Valley. Emissions from wildfires 

burning in the Coast Range Mountains were transported into the Bay Area (see

Figures 10 through 14). The sea breeze then carried these fire-related emissions 

from the Bay Area into the southern Sacramento Valley. These emissions, along 

with drainage flow emissions, were caught-up in the localized eddy circulation 

pattern during the overnight hours, trapping them in the southern portion of the 
3

Sacramento Valley (refer to Figure 9). Furthermore, because the overnight 

height of the mixed layer was low, the wildfire emissions were confined to a 

relatively shallow layer and were concentrated near the surface (see Figure 15). 

The pressure gradient (4.9 millibars) between Reno (KRNO; higher pressure 

area) and Sacramento (KSAC; lower pressure area) at 0400 PST helped keep 

emissions in the Valley.

By late morning and into the afternoon, emissions from the various areas mixed 

and spread throughout the Sacramento Valley. Emissions from fires burning in 

the Coast Range Mountains continued to be transported into the Bay Area (refer 

to Figures 10 through 14). These emissions in the Bay Area then continued to 

drift into the southern portion of the Sacramento Valley as the afternoon onshore 

pressure gradient strengthened to 3.0 millibars between San Francisco (KSFO; 

higher pressure area) and Sacramento (KSAC; lower pressure area), sustaining 

the moderate onshore sea breeze (refer to Figures 16 and 17). This was 

accompanied by a continuing eddy circulation pattern in the southwestern portion 

of the Valley and a positive surface pressure gradient between Reno (KRNO; 

higher pressure area) and Sacramento (KSAC; lower pressure area), which 

prevented emissions from being blown out of the Valley. As shown in the 

satellite images (see Figures 13 and 14), smoke from fires in the adjacent 

mountains shrouded the entire Sacramento Valley. Later in the afternoon, as the 

eddy circulation pattern weakened, some of the emissions that had been trapped 

in the eddy dispersed into the sea breeze flow within the southern Sacramento 

Valley, adding to the emissions burden at Folsom.

Third, the height of the mixed layer increased as the day progressed. This 

allowed wildfire emissions from a larger volume of air to be mixed down to the 

surface, where they could impact ozone concentrations. Over the course of the 

day, the height of the mixed layer, measured at Elk Grove, increased from 

approximately 150 meters in the morning to more than 500 meters by 1500 PST 

(refer to Figure 15). The increase in the height of the mixed layer allowed 

additional wildfire emissions to reach the ground. These emissions combined

with those transported closer to the surface and compounded the severity of the 

wildfire impact. As the height of the mixed layer increased over several hours, 

ozone concentrations also increased, reaching a maximum at 1500 PST. 

Although the relatively low height of the mixed layer on June 27 helped to trap 

wildfire emissions, the surrogate day assessment indicates conditions were not 

sufficient to cause an exceedance under a normal emissions load (see Sonoma 

Technology, Inc., Appendix Y).

 

Airport observations confirm the carryover of wildfire-related emissions from the 

previous day, as well as the transport and build-up of wildfire emissions

throughout the day on June 27 and their presence at ground level. During the 

early morning hours of June 27 (0300-0400 PST), visibilities were low throughout 

the northern portion of the Bay Area and the Sacramento Valley (refer to

Figure 10). The low visibilities in the Folsom area, along with observations of 

smoke, confirm the high level of smoke carryover from the previous day. As time 
4

progressed (0900-1000 PST), visibilities were reduced even further (3 to 5 miles 

in the northern Bay Area and 2.5 to 3 miles in the southern Sacramento Valley), 

as additional wildfire emissions were added to the carryover burden (refer to

Figure 11). During this time, there were widespread reports of smoke and haze. 

As shown in Figure 12, the greatest wildfire impact in the southern Sacramento 

Valley occurred in the late afternoon, when visibility was only 2 to 2.5 miles at all 

three sites in the Folsom area. In addition, these three sites, as well as other 

surrounding sites, reported smoke at ground level, indicating that wildfire 

emissions reached the surface. 

Fourth, ambient temperatures in the Sacramento area on June 27 were high 

enough to promote ozone formation from wildfire emissions. The maximum 

temperature at Folsom reached 99 degrees Fahrenheit. While this temperature 

is not unusual for the Folsom area, the amounts of available precursor emissions 

in the ground level air mass were unusual, and the added emissions burden from 

the wildfires was sufficient to push local ozone concentrations above the federal 

1-hour standard. A comparison of maximum temperatures in the Sacramento 

region concluded that maximum temperatures on June 27 were similar to those 

on the surrogate day, when ozone concentrations were below the level of the 

standard. Hence, wildfire emissions were a critical factor in the June 27 

exceedance.

In conclusion, the transport and build-up of wildfire-related emissions and their 

substantial contribution to the June 27 1-hour federal ozone exceedance at the 

Folsom monitoring site is supported by several factors, as summarized, below:

1) Wildfire emissions from the previous day resulted in a very high level of 

wildfire-related ozone carryover. The level of carryover was about 

one-third the level of the 1-hour standard, and it was nearly three times 

higher than what is typical for the Folsom site. 

2) Overnight surface drainage winds transported additional wildfire emissions 

from both the Coast Range and Sierra Nevada mountains into the 

southern Sacramento Valley. These emissions were caught up in a 

localized eddy circulation pattern and added to the emissions burden on 

the June 27 exceedance day. 

3) Daytime surface winds from the southwest occurred in combination with

very low visibilities and observations of smoke in the northern Bay Area 

and southern Sacramento Valley. This combination of conditions and 

observations indicate a continuing increase in wildfire-related emissions 

from fires burning in the surrounding mountains. 

4) The morning onshore pressure gradient, along with the local eddy 

circulation pattern, trapped emissions in the southern Sacramento Valley. 

Additionally, the pressure gradient between Reno and Sacramento helped 

keep emissions from moving out of the Valley.
5

5) The inversion present on June 27 trapped wildfire emissions close to the 

ground. However, based on the surrogate day assessment, the inversion 

was not sufficient or typical of the conditions associated with an 

exceedance under a normal emissions load.

6) Although the maximum June 27 temperature at Folsom was high, 

maximum temperatures in the Sacramento region were not high enough to 

generate an ozone exceedance based on a normal emissions load, as 

confirmed by the surrogate day assessment. 

The conditions summarized above led to a build-up of wildfire-related emissions 

in the Folsom area that contributed significantly to ozone formation on June 27. 

The addition of wildfire-related emissions caused ozone concentrations to rise 

above levels typically measured at the Folsom site, resulting in a federal 1-hour 

ozone exceedance. The surrogate day assessment shows that the 

meteorological conditions present on June 27 would not be expected to result in 

an exceedance (refer to Sonoma Technology, Inc., Appendix Y). Therefore, the 

addition of the wildfire emissions was the primary cause of the exceedance on 

this day.
6

FIGURES AND TABLES FOR METEOROLOGICAL DISCUSSION

EPISODE 2: JUNE 27, 2008

Figure 1

Map of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008
7

Table 1

List of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number

County 

Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

RIVER 2 20080620 20080706 6 004608 Mendocino 108 39.032 -123.124

RUNNING SPRINGS 20080620 20080621 12 004608 Mendocino 124 39.222 -123.357

TRABING 20080620 20080622 594 005581 Santa Cruz 126 36.939 -121.818

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 388 004727 Shasta 130 40.474 -121.910

JACKS 20080620 20080712 729 004608 Mendocino 130 38.939 -123.561

SAN_JUAN_GRADE 20080620 20080620 22 002358 Monterey 131 36.811 -121.581

TWO ROCK 20080620 20080621 4 004602 Mendocino 131 39.368 -123.449

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 249 004727 Shasta 134 40.539 -121.892

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 2054 004727 Shasta 136 40.528 -122.070

SHAMROCK 20080620 20080625 52 004608 Mendocino 138 39.680 -123.407

TABLE MTN 20080620 20080626 146 004608 Mendocino 142 39.230 -123.707

ARCHER 20080620 20080709 8 004608 Mendocino 142 39.849 -123.360

ALBION RIVER 20080620 20080621 2 004607 Mendocino 143 39.239 -123.724

RED HILL 20080620 20080715 42 004608 Mendocino 143 39.940 -123.302

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 263 004727 Shasta 145 40.472 -122.573

BURNS FLAT 20080620 20080630 29 004608 Mendocino 147 39.769 -123.529

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 564 004727 Shasta 148 40.717 -122.065

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 1193 004727 Shasta 150 40.735 -122.083

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 35312 004727 Shasta 151 40.546 -122.662

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 12977 004727 Shasta 152 40.453 -122.845

4 MILE 20080620 20080719 6 004608 Mendocino 153 39.651 -123.729

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 1148 004727 Shasta 154 40.788 -122.091

LINCOLN 20080620 20080622 20 004597 Mendocino 154 39.703 -123.713

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 30 004727 Shasta 155 40.844 -121.973

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 1045 004727 Trinity 156 40.487 -122.922
8

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number

County 

Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 28330 004727 Shasta 157 40.698 -122.511

TELEPHONE 20080620 20080813 6911 00000115 Trinity 158 40.421 -123.096

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 1310 004727 Trinity 160 40.637 -122.764

SHU LIGHTNING 20080620 1911 004727 Shasta 160 40.982 -121.581

LIME 20080620 20080813 24885 00000137 Trinity 173 40.496 -123.411

BEAR WALLOW 20080620 20080713 39 00000140 Trinity 174 40.514 -123.407

INDIAN VALLEY 20080620 20080703 182 00000144 Trinity 175 40.519 -123.416

DEEP #1 20080620 20080705 30 00000145 Trinity 176 40.561 -123.387

MADDOX LAKE #3 20080620 20080813 23 00000143 Trinity 176 40.547 -123.425

HITCHCOCK 20080620 20080813 53 00000111 Trinity 177 40.534 -123.459

GRASSY CREEK 20080620 20080624 18 00000148 Trinity 178 40.615 -123.369

BOTTOM 20080620 20080621 20 00000057 Trinity 179 40.682 -123.293

LARABEE 3 20080620 20080621 29 003405 Humboldt 186 40.387 -123.879

HIGH 20080620 20080622 29 003395 Humboldt 188 40.364 -123.945

IRONSIDE 20080620 20080731 12834 00000164 Trinity 190 40.821 -123.424

HALF 20080620 20080825 15130 00000035 Humboldt 192 40.762 -123.559

REDCREST 2 20080620 20080621 30 003396 Humboldt 192 40.413 -123.990

MILL 20080620 20081003 65882 00000023 Siskiyou 237 41.542 -123.651

THREE 20080620 20080723 4923 00000010 Siskiyou 238 41.600 -123.573

BOTTLE 20080621 20080622 19 00000038 El Dorado 26 38.954 -120.823

FORESTHILL 20080621 20080625 55 013273 Placer 31 39.020 -120.780

SOLDIER 20080621 20080624 30 00000037 El Dorado 34 38.778 -120.552

TWENTY 20080621 20080625 1355 013264 Yuba 38 39.181 -121.481

CAPPS 20080621 20080622 19 00000027 El Dorado 39 38.652 -120.442

PEAVINE 20080621 20080706 581 00000040 Placer 40 39.067 -120.610
9

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number

County 

Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

GOVERNMENT 20080621 20080801 9220 00000037 Placer 47 39.219 -120.629

WESTVILLE 20080621 20080801 11090 00000041 Placer 48 39.198 -120.570

SCOTCHMAN 20080621 20080703 1165 00000025 Nevada 51 39.350 -120.766

FALL 20080621 20080715 2417 00000033 Nevada 54 39.375 -120.699

FORBESTOWN 20080621 20080624 26 00000058 Yuba 58 39.527 -121.225

CELINA 20080621 20080702 309 00000032 Sierra 59 39.479 -120.770

25 FIRE 20080621 20080626 168 00000031 Sierra 59 39.529 -121.002

WILD 20080621 20080627 4102 004790 Solano 60 38.303 -122.171

BROWN 20080621 20080831 29 00000061 Butte 66 39.637 -121.145

SOUTH-FREY 20080621 20080831 12402 00000052 Butte 69 39.673 -121.250

HARTMAN 20080621 20080831 331 00000068 Plumas 72 39.731 -121.155

WARNERVILLE 20080621 20080621 59 005699 Stanislaus 73 37.716 -120.625

SCOTCH 20080621 20080831 13008 00000063 Plumas 74 39.749 -121.206

FOUR MILE 20080621 789 000539 Butte 74 39.741 -121.342

HUNGARY 20080621 20080831 20 00000050 Butte 76 39.763 -121.437

RODY 20080621 20080831 19 00000054 Butte 77 39.798 -121.323

COLD 20080621 20080831 5599 00000070 Plumas 82 39.835 -120.807

BIG 20080621 20080704 74 00000027 Plumas 84 39.891 -121.302

SLATE 20080621 20080804 10 00000031 Plumas 86 39.918 -121.001

NORTH MTN 20080621 20080719 2964 00000013 Tuolumne 88 37.899 -119.897

CREST 20080621 20080704 39 00000038 Plumas 89 39.977 -121.258

OLD TOLL 20080621 20080623 78 007976 Mariposa 99 37.510 -120.116

KEDDIE 20080621 20080625 78 00000073 Plumas 104 40.167 -120.896

CUB 20080621 20080721 14729 00000013 Tehama 105 40.189 -121.480

ONION 2 20080621 20080722 4905 00000015 Tehama 107 40.208 -121.522
10

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number

County 

Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

BACK 20080621 20080629 1566 00000019 Lake 108 39.370 -122.976

HWY 140 20080621 20080623 1566 007972 Mariposa 108 37.336 -120.146

MILL 20080621 20080629 13512 004261 00000079 Tehama 109 40.162 -121.868

OLIVER 20080621 20080714 2806 00000014 Mariposa 113 37.499 -119.740

INDIAN PEAK 20080621 20080623 49 007986 Mariposa 113 37.405 -119.863

MONKEY ROCK 20080621 20080714 1886 00000016 Mendocino 113 39.542 -122.967

BIG 20080621 20080705 2193 00000012 Mendocino 114 39.417 -123.077

ANTELOPE 20080621 20080629 3417 004308 Tehama 115 40.251 -121.871

HUMMINGBIRD 20080621 20080624 786 003094 Santa Clara 115 37.060 -121.635

MILL 20080621 20080726 3042 00000041 Mendocino 117 39.476 -123.085

SILVER KNOB 20080621 20080626 570 00000011 Mariposa 118 37.429 -119.683

STAR 20080621 20080714 235 00000018 Madera 118 37.523 -119.561

WESTFALL 20080621 20080714 102 00000019 Mariposa 119 37.444 -119.658

WHITE HURST 20080621 20080623 256 003091 Santa Clara 120 36.996 -121.693

ROAD 600 20080621 20080622 2 007985 Madera 121 37.313 -119.794

RIDEOUT 20080621 20080708 26 004732 Mendocino 122 39.285 -123.299

FOLSOM 20080621 20080708 91 004656 Mendocino 124 39.511 -123.213

5-12 WHIPPLE LIGHTNING 20080621 20080630 12 004658 Mendocino 125 39.087 -123.434

OSO 20080621 20080712 228 004673 Mendocino 126 39.131 -123.444

WILLIAMS 20080621 20080627 445 004682 Mendocino 127 39.288 -123.406

SUGARLOAF 20080621 20080709 6928 004696 Mendocino 128 38.998 -123.506

BRUSHY 8 20080621 20080710 97 004688 Mendocino 128 39.630 -123.225

CHIQUITO 20080621 20080717 145 00000017 Madera 129 37.414 -119.429

BRUSHY 7 20080621 20080625 141 004689 Mendocino 129 39.660 -123.215

BRUSHY 6 20080621 20080710 31 004706 Mendocino 130 39.652 -123.245
11

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number

County 

Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

BRUSHY 5 20080621 20080625 92 005151 Mendocino 130 39.640 -123.264

SLIDES 20080621 20080627 1641 00000022 Tehama 131 40.064 -122.858

BRUSHY 3 20080621 20080712 327 004669 Mendocino 133 39.686 -123.286

COWSHED LIGHTNING 20080621 20080715 4466 004655 Mendocino 134 39.031 -123.611

JOHNSON 20080621 20080625 52 00000039 Trinity 135 40.022 -123.000

SHAMROCK EAST 20080621 20080712 481 004691 Mendocino 135 39.655 -123.361

BRUSHY 1 20080621 20080626 391 004639 Mendocino 136 39.683 -123.345

NORTHFORK CAMP 20080621 20080706 9 004704 Mendocino 136 39.313 -123.570

GILEAD 20080621 20080626 30 00000038 Trinity 137 40.022 -123.044

NAVARRO 20080621 20080626 1853 004657 Mendocino 137 39.204 -123.625

IRON 20080621 20080823 30660 00000118 Tehama 138 40.140 -122.923

YELLOW 20080621 20081120 31933 00000047 Trinity 139 40.062 -123.056

SHAMROCK WEST 20080621 20080712 46 004699 Mendocino 139 39.669 -123.430

BULL 20080621 20080627 40 00000040 Trinity 140 40.006 -123.150

GROUSE 20080621 20080705 6324 00000033 Trinity 141 40.127 -123.030

5-10 CAVANAUGH LIGHTNING 20080621 20080709 24 004652 Mendocino 141 39.154 -123.726

CAMP 20080621 20080630 231 00000035 Trinity 143 40.077 -123.144

LOST CREEK 20080621 20080630 31 00000062 Trinity 144 40.099 -123.156

WATERSPOUT #1 20080621 20080710 61 00000066 Trinity 145 40.114 -123.147

SPRING 20080621 20080710 10 00000075 Trinity 145 40.116 -123.152

CREEK 20080621 20080710 30 00000084 Trinity 145 40.116 -123.156

NOBLE 20080621 20080708 12985 00000119 Shasta 146 40.325 -122.902

TROUGH #1 20080621 20080813 3689 00000120 Trinity 147 40.185 -123.119

NIELSON 20080621 20080714 86 00000031 Trinity 148 40.015 -123.340

SWIM 20080621 20080630 185 00000058 Trinity 149 40.166 -123.181
12

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number

County 

Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

TRAVIS 20080621 20080626 958 00000054 Trinity 151 40.122 -123.294

BONANZA 20080621 20080705 1371 00000059 Trinity 153 40.220 -123.217

VAN HORN 20080621 20080623 68 00000029 Trinity 153 40.204 -123.236

BIERCE 20080621 20080622 18 00000134 Trinity 153 40.250 -123.203

LONG 20080621 20080626 11 00000037 Trinity 154 40.124 -123.354

FUELS 20080621 20080621 9 00000034 Trinity 154 40.178 -123.298

PETERSON 20080621 20080701 8022 00000046 Shasta 155 40.917 -121.338

SOUTH FORK 20080621 20080626 83 00000123 Trinity 156 40.370 -123.107

RED MOUNTAIN LIGHTNING 20080621 20080801 7513 004695 Mendocino 156 39.892 -123.640

HARDY CREEK LIGHTNING 20080621 20080711 5354 004973 Mendocino 157 39.726 -123.760

PAINTERS 20080621 20080622 15 Lassen 159 40.824 -120.078

CHINA 20080621 20080623 35 00000159 Trinity 162 40.514 -123.070

LASSIC 20080621 20080621 23 00000028 Trinity 169 40.345 -123.498

BASIN COMPLEX 20080621 20080727 163607 00000016 Monterey 170 36.256 -121.642

FISHER 20080621 20080705 35 00000153 Trinity 170 40.449 -123.395

LOGWOOD 20080621 20080727 20 00000017 Monterey 172 36.231 -121.697

MINERS 20080621 20081031 24876 00000106 Trinity 175 40.637 -123.268

EAGLE 20080621 20081004 32024 00000066 Trinity 176 40.714 -123.163

BOULDER 20080621 20080622 33 00000113 Trinity 176 40.518 -123.464

STUARTS 20080621 20080630 224 00000095 Trinity 181 40.911 -122.971

GRANITE 20080621 20080914 552 00000180 Trinity 182 40.909 -123.015

PARADISE 20080621 20080801 1072 003423 Humboldt 183 40.120 -124.035

CEDAR 20080621 20080731 25392 00000079 Trinity 184 40.749 -123.361

SLIDE 20080621 20080708 1182 00000184 Trinity 185 40.659 -123.512

BUCKHORN 20080621 20080731 29814 00000188 Trinity 186 40.836 -123.263
13

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number

County 

Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

BENNETT 20080621 20080622 31 00000114 Humboldt 186 40.655 -123.557

CARSON 20080621 20080704 65 003450 Humboldt 189 40.429 -123.893

SARGEANTS 20080621 20080621 20 002373 Monterey 191 35.936 -120.757

CARIBOU 20080621 20081216 13127 00000026 Siskiyou 191 41.059 -123.025

DENNY 20080621 20080625 43 00000176 Trinity 194 40.923 -123.378

ZIEGLER 20080621 20080731 2349 00000069 Trinity 195 40.868 -123.480

CAREY 20080621 20080731 3714 00000175 Trinity 200 41.073 -123.294

GOULD 20080621 20080702 229 00000015 Siskiyou 200 41.199 -123.042

PACKSADDLE 20080621 20080624 35 00000039 Humboldt 212 41.168 -123.520

CRAPO 20080621 20080731 15 00000016 Siskiyou 214 41.349 -123.220

JAKE 20080621 20081003 38417 00000041 Siskiyou 216 41.347 -123.310

MERRILL 20080621 20081003 8339 00000068 Siskiyou 223 41.408 -123.437

HAYPRESS 20080621 20081003 13665 00000049 Siskiyou 225 41.469 -123.362

BLUE 2 20080621 20081003 17552 00000026 Del Norte 241 41.537 -123.785

DARK 20080621 20080723 10390 00000011 Siskiyou 242 41.651 -123.602

RAVINE 20080622 20080623 23 013351 Placer 14 38.891 -121.173

LITTLE 20080622 20080831 1399 00000043 Plumas 75 39.765 -121.248

FOX 20080622 20080831 1870 00000045 Butte 75 39.761 -121.339

WALKER 20080622 20080705 11173 004843 Colusa 75 39.065 -122.480

CHINO 20080622 20080831 159 00000049 Butte 76 39.763 -121.417

ROCK2 20080622 20080831 24 00000044 Butte 76 39.780 -121.290

QUARRY 20080622 20080622 211 005708 San Mateo 97 37.681 -122.415

BEACH FIRE 20080622 20080622 7 081477 Marin 101 38.231 -122.946

CLIFF RIDGE 20080622 20080712 4658 004752 Mendocino 132 39.051 -123.569

THOMES 20080622 20080630 980 00000029 Tehama 132 40.035 -122.918
14

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 27, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number

County 

Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

HARVEY 20080622 20080701 949 00000031 Tehama 133 40.092 -122.854

VINEGAR 20080622 20080625 14544 00000030 Tehama 134 40.076 -122.923

BROWN 20080622 20080625 3787 002390 San Benito 139 36.687 -120.920

CORRAL FIRE 20080623 20080721 12434 002759 Lassen 151 40.863 -120.861

MURPHY 20080623 20080630 51 00000049 Shasta 156 40.819 -122.120

MIDDLE 20080623 20080715 2067 004807 Mendocino 160 39.762 -123.800

BOSWELL 20080625 20080915 60 000044 00000044 Tehama 132 40.053 -122.895

1-6 SKUNK 2 LIGHTNING 20080625 20080704 2 005131 Mendocino 138 39.751 -123.341

CUTTHROAT 20080625 20080625 84 00000052 Trinity 178 40.758 -123.157

1-11 RAY SPRINGS LIGHTNING 20080626 20080705 0 005224 Mendocino 136 39.888 -123.182

INDIAN 20080626 20080712 2096 004884 Mendocino 139 39.378 -123.593

LEONARD LAKE 20080627 20080704 0 005262 Mendocino 124 39.260 -123.347

LITTLE JUAN CREEK (MRC) 20080627 20080715 327 004941 Mendocino 156 39.693 -123.768
15

Figure 2

Visible Satellite Image

 June 26, 2008, 1346 PST

 NASA Visible Aqua MODIS Bands 1, 4, and 3 True Color Satellite Image 

 (250 meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/data/imagery/2008178/ca-north-000/crefl2_A2008178214602-

2008178215301_250m_ca-north-000_143.jpg

Folsom
16

Figure 3

Visibility and Present Weather June 26, 2008 0300-0400 PST 
17

Figure 4

Visibility and Present Weather June 26, 2008 0900-1000 PST 
18

Figure 5

Visibility and Present Weather June 26, 2008 1500-1600 PST 
19

Figure 6

Surface Winds June 26, 2008, 0900-1000 PST 
20

Figure 7

Surface Winds June 26, 2008, 1500-1600 PST 
21

Figure 8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48

Number of Days

Ozone Concentration (ppb)

Folsom

Number of Days that a Daily Minimum 1-hour Ozone Concentration 

Equals a Specified Value 

(May-October 2004-2008)

Average & Median Value

June 27, 2008
22

Table 2

Paradise-Airport and Cool Hourly Winds June 26-27, 2008

Date

Start 

Time 

(PST)

Paradise-Airport Cool-Highway 193

Wind Speed Wind Direction Wind Speed Wind Direction

(miles/hour) (degrees) (miles/hour) (degrees)

20080626

0:00 3.5 313 3.5 50

1:00 5.8 7 3.5 56

2:00 6.9 12 2.3 59

3:00 3.5 17 3.5 43

4:00 1.2 352 3.5 45

5:00 1.2 13 2.3 31

6:00 0 189 2.3 38

7:00 0 266 3.5 22

8:00 2.3 248 2.3 21

9:00 2.3 213 3.5 306

10:00 3.5 213 3.5 252

11:00 3.5 206 3.5 220

12:00 3.5 214 3.5 246

13:00 3.5 212 4.6 220

14:00 3.5 215 6.9 202

15:00 4.6 204 3.5 208

16:00 3.5 213 3.5 221

17:00 3.5 214 3.5 205

18:00 3.5 216 2.3 173

19:00 2.3 211 1.2 50

20:00 2.3 81 2.3 46

21:00 2.3 66 2.3 56

22:00 4.6 45 2.3 52

23:00 5.8 25 2.3 38

20080627

0:00 3.5 351 2.3 43

1:00 2.3 342 3.5 49

2:00 2.3 27 3.5 44

3:00 1.2 244 3.5 51

4:00 2.3 301 3.5 52

5:00 1.2 233 3.5 50

6:00 1.2 278 2.3 46

7:00 1.2 329 3.5 28

8:00 1.2 248 1.2 11

9:00 2.3 222 0 219

10:00 3.5 220 3.5 190

11:00 3.5 210 4.6 209

12:00 3.5 210 4.6 203
23

Table 2 (continued)

Paradise-Airport and Cool Hourly Winds June 26-27, 2008

Date

Start 

Time 

(PST)

Paradise-Airport Cool-Highway 193

Wind Speed Wind Direction Wind Speed Wind Direction

(miles/hour) (degrees) (miles/hour) (degrees)

20080627 

(continued)

13:00 3.5 218 5.8 208

14:00 3.5 216 5.8 194

15:00 4.6 218 5.8 195

16:00 4.6 215 4.6 195

17:00 3.5 214 3.5 230

18:00 2.3 212 2.3 211

19:00 1.2 167 0 176

20:00 1.2 108 2.3 41

21:00 2.3 60 3.5 100

22:00 2.3 56 3.5 93

23:00 4.6 43 3.5 115
24

Table 3

Thomes Creek (33 miles SW of Red Bluff)

Hourly Winds June 26-27, 2008

Date Hour 

(PST) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Direction

20080626

0:51 10 WSW

1:51 8 WSW

2:51 9 WSW

3:51 7 WSW

4:51 9 SW

5:51 10 WSW

6:51 8 WSW

7:51 9 WSW

8:51 3 WNW

9:51 7 NNW

10:51 7 N

11:51 8 WNW

12:51 9 NNW

13:51 5 NNE

14:51 4 NNW

15:51 10 N

16:51 6 NNW

17:51 5 NW

18:51 7 WSW

19:51 10 SW

20:51 10 WSW

21:51 11 WSW

22:51 6 W

23:51 13 W

20080627

0:51 10 W

1:51 13 W

2:51 12 WSW

3:51 12 WSW

4:51 14 WSW

5:51 10 WSW

6:51 8 WSW

7:51 7 W

8:51 1 W

9:51 4 NNE

10:51 4 NE

11:51 2 E
25

Table 3

Thomes Creek (33 miles SW of Red Bluff)

Hourly Winds June 26-27, 2008

Date Hour 

(PST) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Direction

20080627

12:51 4 SE

13:51 5 ESE

14:51 3 NNE

15:51 10 ESE

16:51 11 ESE

17:51 8 ESE

18:51 7 ESE

19:51 3 ESE

20:51 5 SW

21:51 2 S

22:51 5 WNW

23:51 2 WNW

 LATITUDE: 39.8542

 LONGITUDE: -22.61

 ELEVATION: 1029ft

 MNET: RAWS
26

Figure 9

Surface Winds June 27, 2008, 0300-0400 PST
27

Figure 10

Visibility and Present Weather June 27, 2008 0300-0400 PST 
28

Figure 11

Visibility and Present Weather June 27, 2008 0900-1000 PST
29

Figure 12

Visibility and Present Weather June 27, 2008 1500-1600 PST
30

Figure 13

Visible Satellite Images

June 27, 2008, 1109 PST

NASA Visible Terra MODIS Bands 1, 4, and 3 True Color Satellite Image (250 

meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/data/imagery/2008179/ca-north-000/crefl1_A2008179190901-

2008179192011_250m_ca-north-000_143.jpg

Folsom
31

Figure 14

Visible Satellite Images

June 27, 2008, 1249 PST

NASA Visible Aqua MODIS Bands 1, 4, and 3 True Color Satellite Image (250 

meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/data/imagery/2008179/ca-north-000/crefl2_A2008179204921-

2008179205828_250m_ca-north-000_143.jpg

Folsom
32

Figure 15

Change in Height of Mixing Layer at Elk Grove on June 27, 2008
33

Figure 16

Surface Winds June 27, 2008, 0900-1000 PST 
34

Figure 17

Surface Winds June 27, 2008, 1500-1600 PST