1

APPENDIX B

METEOROLOGICAL ANALYSIS

June 23, 2008

A storm system associated with a nearly stationary Gulf of Alaska low pressure 

area moved through northern and central California on June 20 and 21, 2008 (see 

Figures 1 through 4). This system generated numerous thunderstorms, some 

severe, with countless cloud-to-ground lightning strikes (see Figure 5). Because of 

record dry conditions (see Figure 6), these lightning strikes started nearly 200 

wildfires in the Coast Range and Sierra Nevada mountains that surround the 

Sacramento Valley. As burning continued, ozone and ozone precursor emissions 

from the wildfires were transported to, and concentrated in, the southern 

Sacramento Valley. As emissions from these fires built-up in the southern 

Sacramento Valley, they caused an exceedance of the federal 1-hour ozone 

standard at the Folsom air monitoring site on June 23, 2008. 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

Following the storm’s passage, air over the Sacramento Valley began to stabilize,

and winds decreased. Under these more stable conditions, ozone and ozone 

precursor emissions from the numerous lightning-generated wildfires ringing the 

Sacramento Valley drifted into the Valley, adversely impacting ozone 

concentrations (see Figure 7 and Table 1). 

The Day before the Exceedance: As wildfires burned in the Coast Range 

Mountains, flow from the northwest transported emissions from these fires into the 

San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area; refer to Figures 8 through 11). During the 

daylight hours on June 22, prevailing southwest surface winds in the Bay Area 

carried these fire-related emissions into the southern Sacramento Valley (see 

Figures 12 and 13). The mid-day NASA satellite image (refer to Figure 8) shows 

smoke from the Coast Range fires drifting eastward, towards and into the southern 

Sacramento Valley.

Airport visibility observations corroborate the movement and build-up of smoke 

throughout the day in the southern portion of the Valley. Figures 9 through 11

show the progression of the impact. During the early morning hours 

(0300-0400 PST), visibility was 9 to 10 miles throughout the Sacramento Valley 

and northern Bay Area (refer to Figure 9). Later in the morning (0900-1000 PST), 

reports indicate reductions in visibility, along with numerous observations of smoke 
2

and haze throughout the southern Sacramento Valley and northern Bay Area (refer 

to Figure 10). By 1500 PST, there were substantial reductions in visibility and an 

increase in reports of smoke and haze, indicating a widespread impact of wildfirerelated emissions (refer to Figure 11). As shown in Figure 11, the impact during 

the afternoon of June 22 was quite severe in the southern Sacramento Valley (3 to 

5 mile visibilities with haze), which includes Folsom. 

The Day of the Exceedance (June 23): Several factors contributed to the June 23 

ozone exceedance at Folsom. First, the wind direction was optimal for transporting 

additional emissions from the various fire areas into the southern Sacramento 

Valley. During the overnight hours, air movement in the southern Sacramento 

Valley was controlled by the typical overnight mountain-to-valley surface drainage 

flow pattern. Drainage flow from the northeast carried emissions from wildfires 

burning in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (see Table 2), while 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 a moderate sea breeze flow from the 

Bay Area through the Carquinez Strait (see Figure 14). The sea breeze flow was

driven by an onshore pressure gradient. The pressure gradient is the difference in 

atmospheric pressure between two areas and provides a force which moves air 

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

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

Sacramento (KSAC; lower pressure area; see Sonoma Technology, Inc.,

Appendix Y). The sea breeze weakened and formed an eddy circulation pattern 

upon entering the Sacramento Valley. As wildfires burned in the Coast Range 

Mountains, emissions from these fires were transported into the Bay Area by flow

from the northwest (see Figures 15 through 19). The sea breeze 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 late night and early morning hours. 

This pattern kept emissions in the southern portion of the Valley (refer to Figure 

14). 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 20). 

By noon, emissions from the various areas had mixed and spread throughout the 

Sacramento Valley. Flow from the northwest continued to carry emissions from 

fires burning in the Coast Range Mountains into the Bay Area (refer to Figures 15 

through 19). These wildfire-related emissions in the Bay Area then continued to 

drift into the southern portion of the Valley, as the afternoon
3

onshore pressure gradient strengthened (4.1 millibars between KSFO (higher

pressure) and KSAC (lower pressure)), sustaining the moderate onshore sea 

breeze. In addition, a small eddy circulation pattern remained in the southwestern 

portion of the Valley (see Figure 21). As seen in the satellite images (refer to

Figures 15 and 16), smoke covered the southern Sacramento Valley, especially 

along the east side of the Valley. However, the smoke impact diminished over the 

foothills and mountains located further east. This is corroborated by the fact that 

maximum 1-hour ozone concentrations were substantially lower at sites to the east 

of Folsom, and although their concentrations came close to the federal standard, 

they did not exceed the standard. Later in the afternoon, the eddy circulation 

pattern dissipated, and a portion of the emissions that had been trapped in the 

eddy were transported east by the sea breeze flow (see Figure 22). 

Second, the inversion present on June 23 was somewhat stronger and lower than 

the day before, limiting the dispersion of wildfire emissions (see Figures 23 and 

24). However, the surrogate day assessment indicates conditions were not 

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

Technology, Inc., Appendix Y). As is typical in the Sacramento Valley during 

summer, the height of the mixed layer increased throughout the day on June 23. 

Over the course of the day, the height increased from approximately 150 meters at 

midnight to about 600 meters at noon. It then decreased to about 400 meters at 

1500 PST (refer to Figure 20). The change in the height of the mixed layer allowed

wildfire emissions within a larger volume of air to reach the ground. These 

emissions, in combination with those already close to the surface, compounded the 

severity of the wildfire impact. The greatest increase in the height of the mixed 

layer occurred from about 0900 PST to 1500 PST. Ozone concentrations also 

increased over these hours, reaching a maximum concentration at 1500 PST in 

Folsom. 

Airport visibility observations confirm the transport and build-up of wildfire-related 

emissions (refer to Figures 17 through 19). During the early morning hours of 

June 23 (0300-0400 PST), sites in the northern portion of the Bay Area and the 

southern Sacramento Valley reported visibilities of 0.5 to 10 miles, with an 

observation of smoke at Sacramento Executive Airport (refer to Figure 17). By 

mid-morning (1000-1100 PST), visibility was substantially reduced throughout the 

northern portion of the Bay Area and southern Sacramento Valley (ranging from 3 

to 5 miles), with widespread observations of smoke (refer to Figure 18). The 

reduced visibilities and reports of smoke persisted into the afternoon hours, 

including the time of the ozone exceedance at Folsom (refer to Figure 19). Airport 

observations reflect a measure of conditions on the ground. Therefore, the

observations near Folsom confirm that pollutants and emissions from the 

surrounding wildfires reached the ground, where they had an impact on ground 

level ozone concentrations. 

Third, ambient temperatures on June 23 were high enough to promote ozone 

formation from wildfire emissions. The maximum temperature reached 97 degrees
4

Fahrenheit at Folsom. While a maximum temperature of 97 degrees is not unusual 

for the Folsom area, the amounts of available precursors in the ground level air 

mass were unusual. The added emissions burden from the wildfires was sufficient 

to push local ozone concentrations to levels above the federal 1-hour standard. A 

comparison of maximum temperatures in the Sacramento region on June 23 with 

those on the surrogate day showed that the June 23 temperatures were not high 

enough to cause an exceedance, if the emissions burden were typical (refer to 

Sonoma Technology, Inc., Appendix Y). 

In conclusion, the transport, build-up, and impact of wildfire emissions on ozone 

concentrations at the Folsom monitoring site on June 23, 2008, is supported by 

several factors, as summarized, below:

1) Based on satellite imagery, airfield visibility observations, and surface 

winds, there was a progression of smoke and wildfire emissions from the 

Coast Range Mountains to the southern Sacramento Valley, including the 

Folsom area, the day before the exceedance. During this time, surface 

winds were from the southwest, and emissions impacting the southern 

Sacramento Valley were attributable to wildfires in the Coast Range.

2) During the overnight hours, typical surface drainage winds and sea breeze 

flow transported emissions from wildfires in the Coast Range Mountains and 

the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the southern Sacramento Valley, adding 

to the emissions burden. These emissions were trapped near the ground by 

a low mixing height, and an eddy circulation pattern kept them in the 

southern Sacramento Valley.

3) As the eddy circulation dissipated on June 23, surface winds continued from 

the southwest, and there were observations of smoke throughout the Bay 

Area region and into the southern Sacramento Valley. This combination of 

conditions and observations indicate that wildfire emissions continued to 

build-up and concentrate in the southern Sacramento Valley.

4) A persistent inversion served to trap emissions closer to the ground on June 

23 than on the previous day. In addition, an increase in the height of the 

mixed layer over the course of the day allowed emissions carried throughout 

a larger volume of air to be mixed downward, to the surface. Although the 

inversion conditions were conducive to higher ozone concentrations, they 

were not sufficient or typical of conditions needed to cause an exceedance, 

based on the surrogate day assessment.

5) Maximum ambient temperatures in the Sacramento area were conducive to 

ozone formation, but the surrogate day assessment indicates temperatures 

were not high enough to generate an exceedance from emissions normally 

present in the area. The addition of wildfire-related emissions provided the 

precursors needed to generate ozone concentrations in excess of the 

federal 1-hour standard.
5

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

the Folsom area. This higher level of precursor emissions contributed significantly 

to ozone formation and caused ozone concentrations to rise well above the levels 

normally measured at the Folsom site. The surrogate day assessment shows that 

the meteorological conditions present on June 23 would not be expected to result 

in a federal 1-hour ozone exceedance (refer to Sonoma Technology, Inc.,

Appendix Y). Therefore, the addition of the wildfire-related emissions was the 

primary cause of the federal 1-hour ozone exceedance.
6

FIGURES AND TABLES FOR METEOROLOGICAL DISCUSSION

EPISODE 1: JUNE 23, 2008

Figure 1

NOAA Surface Weather Maps

 June 20, 2008, 0400 PST

 June 21, 2008, 0400 PST
7

Figure 2

NOAA Daily 500 mb Weather Maps

 June 20, 2008, 0400 PST

 June 21, 2008, 0400 PST
8

Figure 3

Visible Satellite Image

June 20, 2008, 1245 PST

NASA Visible MODIS Satellite Images 

(http://modis-atmos.gsfc.nasa.gov/IMAGES/index_myd021km.html)

Folsom
9

Figure 4

Visible Satellite Image

June 21, 2008, 1330 PST

NASA Visible MODIS Satellite Images 

(http://modis-atmos.gsfc.nasa.gov/IMAGES/index_myd021km.html)

Folsom
10

Figure 5

California Wildfires and Lightning Strikes
11

Figure 6

National Drought Summary – June 17, 2008

National Drought Summary -- June 17, 2008

The discussion in the Looking Ahead section is simply a description of what the official national guidance from the 

National Weather Service (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Prediction is depicting for current areas of 

dryness and drought. The NWS forecast products utilized include the HPC 5-day QPF and 5-day Mean Temperature 

progs, the 6-10 Day Outlooks of Temperature and Precipitation Probability, and the 8-14 Day Outlooks of 

Temperature and Precipitation Probability, valid as of late Wednesday afternoon of the USDM release week. The 

NWS forecast web page used for this section is: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/forecasts/.

The West

In the dry areas across the West, weekly precipitation totals in excess of 0.5 inch were restricted to western Wyoming 

and isolated sites in southern Idaho. Most locations received no measurable rainfall, which is not particularly unusual 

for these areas during summer. However, some areas of deterioration were noted, primarily across California, where 

all but the northwestern and southwestern extremities of the state are now experiencing at least moderate drought. 

Severe drought (D2) expanded northward slightly in the San Joaquin Basin.

Author: Rich Tinker, CPC/NOAA
12

Figure 7

Map of Fires Equal to and Greater than 300 Acres

June 20 through June 23, 2008
13

Table 1

List of Fires for June 20 through June 23, 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 -121.91

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 -122.07

SHAMROCK 20080620 20080625 52 004608 Mendocino 138 39.68 -123.407

TABLE MTN 20080620 20080626 146 004608 Mendocino 142 39.23 -123.707

ARCHER 20080620 20080709 8 004608 Mendocino 142 39.849 -123.36

ALBION RIVER 20080620 20080621 2 004607 Mendocino 143 39.239 -123.724

RED HILL 20080620 20080715 42 004608 Mendocino 143 39.94 -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

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
14

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 23, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number County Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

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 -123.99

MILL 20080620 20081003 65882 00000023 Siskiyou 237 41.542 -123.651

THREE 20080620 20080723 4923 00000010 Siskiyou 238 41.6 -123.573

BOTTLE 20080621 20080622 19 00000038 El Dorado 26 38.954 -120.823

FORESTHILL 20080621 20080625 55 013273 Placer 31 39.02 -120.78

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 -120.61

GOVERNMENT 20080621 20080801 9220 00000037 Placer 47 39.219 -120.629

WESTVILLE 20080621 20080801 11090 00000041 Placer 48 39.198 -120.57

SCOTCHMAN 20080621 20080703 1165 00000025 Nevada 51 39.35 -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 -120.77
15

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 23, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number County Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

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 -121.25

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 37.51 -120.116

KEDDIE 20080621 20080625 78 00000073 Plumas 104 40.167 -120.896

CUB 20080621 20080721 14729 00000013 Tehama 105 40.189 -121.48

ONION 2 20080621 20080722 4905 00000015 Tehama 107 40.208 -121.522

BACK 20080621 20080629 1566 00000019 Lake 108 39.37 -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 -119.74

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 37.06 -121.635
16

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 23, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number County Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

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 39.63 -123.225

CHIQUITO 20080621 20080717 145 00000017 Madera 129 37.414 -119.429

BRUSHY 7 20080621 20080625 141 004689 Mendocino 129 39.66 -123.215

BRUSHY 6 20080621 20080710 31 004706 Mendocino 130 39.652 -123.245

BRUSHY 5 20080621 20080625 92 005151 Mendocino 130 39.64 -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

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 -123.57

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 40.14 -122.923

YELLOW 20080621 20081120 31933 00000047 Trinity 139 40.062 -123.056
17

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 23, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number County Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

SHAMROCK WEST 20080621 20080712 46 004699 Mendocino 139 39.669 -123.43

BULL 20080621 20080627 40 00000040 Trinity 140 40.006 -123.15

GROUSE 20080621 20080705 6324 00000033 Trinity 141 40.127 -123.03

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 -123.34

SWIM 20080621 20080630 185 00000058 Trinity 149 40.166 -123.181

TRAVIS 20080621 20080626 958 00000054 Trinity 151 40.122 -123.294

BONANZA 20080621 20080705 1371 00000059 Trinity 153 40.22 -123.217

VAN HORN 20080621 20080623 68 00000029 Trinity 153 40.204 -123.236

BIERCE 20080621 20080622 18 00000134 Trinity 153 40.25 -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 40.37 -123.107

RED MOUNTAIN LIGHTNING 20080621 20080801 7513 004695 Mendocino 156 39.892 -123.64

HARDY CREEK LIGHTNING 20080621 20080711 5354 004973 Mendocino 157 39.726 -123.76

PAINTERS 20080621 20080622 15 Lassen 159 40.824 -120.078

CHINA 20080621 20080623 35 00000159 Trinity 162 40.514 -123.07

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
18

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 23, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number County Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

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 40.12 -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

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 -123.48

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 -123.52

CRAPO 20080621 20080731 15 00000016 Siskiyou 214 41.349 -123.22

JAKE 20080621 20081003 38417 00000041 Siskiyou 216 41.347 -123.31

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
19

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through June 23, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number County Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

WALKER 20080622 20080705 11173 004843 Colusa 75 39.065 -122.48

CHINO 20080622 20080831 159 00000049 Butte 76 39.763 -121.417

ROCK2 20080622 20080831 24 00000044 Butte 76 39.78 -121.29

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

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 -120.92

CORRAL FIRE 20080623 20080721 12434 002759 Lassen 151 40.863 -120.861

MURPHY 20080623 20080630 51 00000049 Shasta 156 40.819 -122.12

MIDDLE 20080623 20080715 2067 004807 Mendocino 160 39.762 -123.8
20

Figure 8

Visible Satellite Image

June 22, 2008, 1231 PST

NASA Visible Aqua MODIS True Color Satellite Image (250 meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/imagery.php

Folsom
21

Figure 9

Visibility and Present Weather June 22, 2008 0300-0400 PST 
22

Figure 10

Visibility and Present Weather June 22, 2008 0900-1000 PST 
23

Figure 11

Visibility and Present Weather June 22, 2008 1500-1600 PST
24

Figure 12

Surface Winds June 22, 2008, 0900-1000 PST 
25

Figure 13

Surface Winds June 22, 2008, 1500-1600 PST
26

Table 2

Paradise-Airport and Cool Hourly Winds June 2008

Date

Start 

Time 

(PST)

Paradise-Airport Cool-Highway 193

Wind Speed Wind Direction Wind Speed Wind Direction

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

20080622

0:00 6.9 80 3.5 51

1:00 5.8 76 2.3 29

2:00 3.5 57 2.3 28

3:00 1.2 67 2.3 43

4:00 5.8 34 2.3 42

5:00 3.5 10 3.5 49

6:00 1.2 223 1.2 57

7:00 1.2 266 2.3 151

8:00 2.3 308 6.9 160

9:00 3.5 191 4.6 204

10:00 3.5 200 5.8 209

11:00 4.6 207 5.8 232

12:00 4.6 191 4.6 223

13:00 4.6 214 4.6 225

14:00 5.8 215 6.9 205

15:00 5.8 215 4.6 232

16:00 4.6 218 3.5 208

17:00 4.6 219 3.5 204

18:00 3.5 218 4.6 203

19:00 2.3 210 0 167

20:00 2.3 191 2.3 62

21:00 5.8 42 2.3 39

22:00 5.8 37 2.3 46

23:00 8.1 46 2.3 40

20080623

0:00 10.4 44 3.5 53

1:00 9.2 37 3.5 42

2:00 8.1 37 3.5 56

3:00 1.2 22 3.5 54

4:00 2.3 45 3.5 54

5:00 2.3 327 2.3 61

6:00 1.2 76 2.3 42

7:00 1.2 61 3.5 17

8:00 1.2 210 3.5 305

9:00 2.3 218 3.5 244

10:00 2.3 212 4.6 269

11:00 3.5 216 3.5 259

12:00 3.5 214 4.6 235
27

Table 2 (continued)

Paradise-Airport and Cool Hourly Winds June 2008

Date

Start 

Time 

(PST)

Paradise-Airport Cool-Highway 193

Wind Speed Wind Direction Wind Speed Wind Direction

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

20080623

(continued)

13:00 3.5 213 5.8 212

14:00 3.5 215 4.6 267

15:00 3.5 204 4.6 287

16:00 3.5 215 3.5 248

17:00 3.5 213 3.5 272

18:00 2.3 208 3.5 228

19:00 2.3 158 0 281

20:00 2.3 61 2.3 45

21:00 4.6 37 2.3 39

22:00 5.8 359 2.3 48

23:00 6.9 19 3.5 43
28

Table 3

Thomes Creek (33 miles SW of Red Bluff)

Hourly Winds June 22-23, 2008

Date Hour 

(PST) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Direction

20080622

0:51 11 W

1:51 11 W

2:51 9 WSW

3:51 9 WSW

4:51 7 WSW

5:51 9 W

6:51 2 N

7:51 1 W

8:51 5 ESE

9:51 3 N

10:51 6 E

11:51 4 N

12:51 3 N

13:51 4 NE

14:51 5 ENE

15:51 4 N

16:51 8 ESE

17:51 5 SE

18:51

19:51 1 W

20:51 9 WSW

21:51 10 WSW

22:51 11 W

23:51 11 WSW

20080623

0:51 12 WSW

1:51 9 WSW

2:51 10 WSW

3:51 14 WSW

4:51 9 WSW

5:51 8 WSW

6:51 8 WSW

7:51 4 W

8:51 3 NNE

9:51 2 NNE

10:51 2 ENE

11:51 3 SW
29

Table 3 (continued)

Thomes Creek (33 miles SW of Red Bluff)

Hourly Winds June 22-23, 2008

Date Hour 

(PST) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Direction

20080623 

(continued)

12:51 7 SE

13:51 3 NW

14:51 4 NNW

15:51 6 ESE

16:51 8 SE

17:51 7 ESE

18:51 5 SE

19:51 4 SSE

20:51 3 SW

21:51 6 W

22:51 9 W

23:51 10 W

LATITUDE: 39.8542

LONGITUDE: -22.61

ELEVATION: 1029ft

MNET: RAWS
30

Figure 14

Surface Winds June 23, 2008, 0300-0400 PST
31

Figure 15

Visible Satellite Image

June 23, 2008, 1143 PST

NASA Visible Aqua MODIS True Color Satellite Image (250 meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/imagery.php

Folsom
32

Figure 16

Visible Satellite Image

June 23, 2008, 1322 PST

NASA Visible Aqua MODIS True Color Satellite Image (250 meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/imagery.php

Folsom
33

Figure 17

Visibility and Present Weather June 23, 2008, 0300-0400 PST
34

Figure 18

Visibility and Present Weather June 23, 2008, 1000-1100 PST 
35

Figure 19

Visibility and Present Weather June 23, 2008, 1500-1600 PST
36

Figure 20

Change in Height of Mixed Layer at Elk Grove on June 23, 2008
37

Figure 21

Surface Winds June 23, 2008, 1000-1100 PST 
38

Figure 22

Surface Winds June 23, 2008, 1500-1600 PST
39

Figure 23

Inversion Base Height and Inversion Strength at Elk Grove

0

250

500

750

1000

1250

1500

1750

2000

0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21

Hour (PST) Inversion Base Height (feet-above ground level)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Inversion Strength (degrees C)

Inversion Base Height (feet-above ground level) Inversion Strength (degrees C)

Zero inversion strength means there is no inversion 

Hours with 

no low level 

inversion 

June 22, 2008 June 23, 2008 June 24, 2008
40

Figure 24

Elk Grove Inversion Strength June 22-24, 2008

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Hour of Day (PST)

Inversion Strength (degrees C)

6/22/2008 6/23/2008 6/24/2008