1

APPENDIX D

METEOROLOGICAL ANALYSIS

July 10, 2008

The added emissions from an unprecedented number of wildfires burning in the 

Coast Range and Sierra Nevada mountains caused several exceedances of the 

1-hour federal ozone standard at Folsom during late June and early July of 2008

(refer to discussion of Episodes 1 and 2). After an exceedance at Folsom on 

July 7, the wildfires continued to burn, and wildfire-related ozone and precursor 

emissions continued to build-up in the southern Sacramento Valley. Ozone 

concentrations at Folsom remained high during this time period, but did not 

exceed the 1-hour standard. However, with the continued build-up of emissions 

and a substantial amount of ozone carryover, another exceedance of the 1-hour 

standard occurred on July 10. The following analysis describes the conditions 

leading up to this exceedance, focusing on emissions in the mixed layer. 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. Emissions in the mixed layer impact ground level ozone 

concentrations. 

Analysis

The hundreds of wildfires started by the lightning strikes during the June 20-21, 

2008, storm continued to burn into July. By July 10, many of the fires 

surrounding the Sacramento Valley had burned more than 1,000 acres, while a 

substantial number had burned more than 10,000 acres. Overall, more than 

1,000,000 acres were reported burned within 300 miles of Folsom, with close to 

140,000 acres burned within 100 miles of Folsom (see Figure 1 and Table 1).

The Days before the Exceedance: Following the July 7 exceedance, 1-hour

ozone concentrations at Folsom fell to just below the federal standard on July 8, 

despite strengthening weather conditions normally conducive to high ozone. 

Although ozone levels fell, the mid-day NASA satellite image shows substantial 

amounts of smoke drifting over the Sacramento Valley (see Figure 2). Based on 

airport observations, haze or smoke was reported at one or more of the three 

airports in the southern Sacramento Valley (Mather Field (nearest Folsom), 

Sacramento Executive, and Sacramento International) during all 24 hours of 

July 8 (see Table 2). This shows that wildfire emissions were present in the area 

at ground level. Still, ozone concentrations did not exceed the standard. Unlike 

the previous exceedance days, the low level inversion on July 8 broke at 

1400 PST. This provided for greater dilution and dispersion of the wildfire-related 

emissions, which likely prevented an exceedance from occurring. 

Similar weather conditions persisted into July 9. A surface high pressure ridge

continued to build into northern California (see Figure 3), and there was 

continued transport of wildfire emissions from the surrounding mountains into the 

Sacramento Valley. During the early morning hours, these emissions combined 

with those from the previous day and were trapped in the southern Sacramento 
2

Valley by a low overnight mixed layer and a very large eddy wind circulation

pattern in the southern portion of the Sacramento Valley (see Tables 3 and 4, as 

well as Figure 4). As the day progressed, surface wind flow from the northwest

to north transported additional wildfire emissions into the southern Sacramento 

Valley, compounding the overall burden (see Figures 5 and 6). By mid-day on 

July 9, the NASA visible satellite image (see Figure 7) shows smoke throughout

the central and southern portions of the Sacramento Valley. The smoke is 

particularly thick over the eastern portion of the Sacramento Valley. 

Airport observations confirm that smoke reached the ground. During the very 

early morning hours (0300-0400 PST), visibilities were 8 to 10 miles, with reports 

of smoke and haze in the southern Sacramento Valley (see Figure 8). By 

0900-1000 PST, visibilities were more limited (5 to 6 miles in the southern 

Sacramento Valley), and there were more widespread reports of smoke and 

haze (see Figure 9). By late afternoon, visibilities were severely impacted in the 

eastern portion of the Sacramento Valley (see Figure 10). The visibility near 

Folsom was less than 1 mile, and all sites in the southern portion of the 

Sacramento Valley reported smoke. The severe impact on visibilities confirms 

that much of the smoke visible in the satellite image was present at the surface, 

and this smoke severely impacted the southern Sacramento Valley. Overall, at 

least one of the three airports in the southern Sacramento Valley reported smoke 

or haze during 23 of the 24 hours on July 9 (refer to Table 2). 

In general, there were several factors on the preceding days that contributed to 

the ozone exceedance on July 10, 2008. First, there was surface wind flow from 

the northwest through north on June 9. These winds carried additional 

wildfire-related emissions from a broader swath of area into the southern 

Sacramento Valley. Second, wind speeds were relatively low. This allowed for 

the transport of emissions, but also served to keep the air mass relatively intact 

as it was transported into the southern Sacramento Valley. Finally, although 

wildfire emissions were not sufficient to cause an exceedance of the federal 

standard on July 8 or 9, there were substantial amounts of wildfire-related ozone 

and ozone precursors lingering in the air mass. These were carried over into 

July 10, providing a substantial concentration to which that day’s ozone was 

added. Although these factors were important contributors to the transport and 

concentration of smoke in the southern Sacramento Valley, they would not be 

expected to cause an exceedance of the federal standard under the typical 

emissions burden. 

The Day of the Exceedance: Several factors contributed to the July 10, 2008,

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

over from the previous day. A shallow mixed layer and localized eddy circulation 

pattern during the overnight and early morning hours kept wildfire-generated 

ozone and emissions carried over from the two previous days trapped near the 

ground in the southern Sacramento Valley. The minimum ozone concentration 

measured at Folsom on July 10 was 0.031 parts per million at 0500 PST (see 

Figure 11). This is nearly twice the average level for Folsom, and it is about 
3

one-quarter the level of the federal 1-hour standard. This considerable carryover 

level provided a high baseline, to which ozone was added during the day of 

July 10.

Second, the wind direction was optimal for transporting emissions from fire areas 

in several directions to the southern Sacramento Valley. During the early 

morning hours of July 10, surface air movement in the southern Sacramento 

Valley was controlled by the typical downslope drainage winds (refer to Tables 2 

and 3) and sea breeze flow from the Bay Area through the Carquinez Strait (see 

Figure 12). The drainage flow transporting emissions from wildfires in the Sierra 

Nevada Mountains was aided by the 0400 PST surface pressure gradient. The 

pressure gradient is the difference in atmospheric pressure between two areas 

and provides a force which moves air from a higher to a lower pressure area. At 

0400 PST, there was a 6.2 millibar pressure difference between Reno (KRNO; 

area of higher pressure) and Sacramento (KSAC; area of lower pressure). 

Similarly, drainage flow transporting emissions from wildfires in the Coast Range 

Mountains was aided by the 0400 PST 2.5 millibar pressure gradient between 

San Francisco (KSFO; area of higher pressure) and Sacramento (KSAC; area of 

lower pressure). In addition to the drainage flow, surface air flow from the 

northwest through north transported wildfire emissions from a number of large 

fires in the northern Coast Range Mountains into the southern portion of the 

Sacramento Valley. Wildfire emissions from all these various directions 

converged and were caught up in a localized surface eddy circulation pattern

which trapped the emissions in the southwestern portion of the Sacramento 

Valley. The shallow mixed layer (approximately 150 meters between midnight 

and 0700 PST) kept the trapped wildfire emissions from dispersing upward (see 

Figure 13).

The late morning NASA satellite image shows emissions from the various fire 

areas drifting over the Sacramento Valley (see Figure 14). Emissions continued 

to concentrate in the southern portion of the Sacramento Valley due to the 

convergence of surface winds (see Figure 15). Surface winds from the northwest 

through north transported emissions from large fires in the northern Coast Range 

Mountains into the southern portion of the Sacramento Valley. In addition, the 

southwest sea breeze flow brought fire emissions from the Bay Area into the 

southern Sacramento Valley (fire emissions in the Bay Area were those that had 

transported from wildfires in the Coast Range; see Figures 14 and 16 through 

18). Over time, the fire emissions trapped in the southern portion of the 

Sacramento Valley were pushed eastward toward Folsom, by the strengthening 

sea breeze (see Figure 19). This eastward push of emissions was aided by the 

drop in the surface pressure gradient between Reno and Sacramento. Following 

the 1200 PST exceedance, the NASA satellite image shows the Folsom area 

totally obscured by heavy smoke (see Figure 20). 

Airport visibility observations confirm the continued transport and build-up of 

smoke throughout the day in the northern Bay Area and southern Sacramento 

Valley on July 10. During the early morning hours (0300-0400 PST), the 

reported visibility near Folsom was 6 miles, with observed smoke (see 

Figure 16). Several hours later (0900-1000 PST), the visibility near Folsom was 
4

down to 3 miles, and there were widespread observations of smoke and haze at 

the surrounding sites (see Figure 17). Between 1100 and 1200 PST, the

reported visibility near Folsom remained at 3 miles. Visibilities at the other sites 

in the southern Sacramento Valley decreased substantially, and all three sites

reported smoke (see Figure 18). Overall, at least one of the three sites in the 

southern Sacramento Valley reported smoke or haze during all of the hours on 

July 10 between midnight and 1200 PST, the hour of the exceedance (refer to 

Table 2). Following the exceedance (1300-1400 PST), the visibility near Folsom

was very low, at 1.5 miles with observed smoke (see Figure 21).

1

 

Third, the height of the mixed layer was low, and remained relatively low 

throughout the day (refer to Figure 13). From midnight to 0700 PST, the height 

of the mixed layer remained relatively constant, at approximately 150 meters. 

Between 0800 PST and 1200 PST, the height doubled, increasing to about 

330 meters. This was the maximum height of the mixed layer for the day. While 

the rise in the height of the mixed layer allowed some additional wildfire 

emissions to be mixed to the surface, it still provided a relatively shallow lid to 

trap those emissions close to the surface, where they impacted ground level 

ozone concentrations.

Fourth, ambient temperatures in the Sacramento area on July 10 were high 

enough to promote ozone formation from wildfire emissions. The maximum 

temperature at Folsom reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this 

temperature is high, it is not unheard of for the Folsom area. Furthermore, a 

comparison of maximum temperatures in the Sacramento region on July 10 with 

those on the surrogate day showed that the July 10 temperatures were not so 

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

Sonoma Technology, Inc., Appendix Y).

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

impact on the July 10, 2008, peak 1-hour ozone concentration at the Folsom 

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

1) Wildfire emissions transported into the southern Sacramento Valley during 

the prior two days resulted in a very high level of wildfire-related ozone 

carryover. The amount of carryover was about twice the average level at 

Folsom and about one-quarter of the level of the federal 1-hour standard.

2) Early morning downslope drainage winds on July 10 transported additional 

wildfire emissions from the Coast Range and Sierra Nevada mountains 

into the central and southern Sacramento Valley. In addition, early 

morning surface winds from the northwest through north transported 

wildfire emissions from large fires in the northern Coast Range Mountains 

into the southern Sacramento Valley, adding to the overall burden. 

 

1 Note: airport observations for the 1200 to 1300 PST time period are not included here, because 

they appear to be in error. While the observations for all other sites in the southern and central 

Sacramento Valley are consistent with the previous hour’s observations (the 1100-1200 PST 

observation), the report for Mather Field Airport, the site nearest Folsom, lists a visibility of 

10 miles, with no observed smoke or haze. 
5

3) The morning eddy wind circulation pattern trapped the transported wildfire

emissions, allowing them to build-up in the southern Sacramento Valley. 

The morning surface pressure gradient between Reno and Sacramento 

helped keep the wildfire emissions trapped in the Valley.

4) During the late morning hours, the eddy circulation pattern weakened, and 

the fire emissions trapped in the southern portion of the Sacramento 

Valley were pushed eastward toward Folsom, as the sea breeze 

strengthened and spread over the southern and central portions of the 

Sacramento Valley. Observations of decreasing visibilities, haze, and 

smoke from the early morning hours through the time of the exceedance 

corroborate the transport of wildfire-related emissions into the Folsom

area and confirm the presence of smoke at ground level. 

5) The low height of the mixed layer during the overnight and early morning 

hours of July 10 provided a lid that trapped and concentrated 

wildfire-related emissions close to the ground. The height of the mixed 

layer increased during the several hours preceding the exceedance, 

allowing additional wildfire emissions carried throughout a larger volume of 

air to be mixed downward, where they could impact ground level ozone 

measurements. 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. 

6) Ambient temperatures on July 10 were high, resulting in conditions 

conducive to ozone formation. However, 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.

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

emissions that resulted in a federal 1-hour ozone exceedance at the Folsom site. 

Historically, these types of meteorological conditions have not resulted in a 

federal 1-hour ozone exceedance, based on the similar day assessment (refer to 

Sonoma Technology, Inc., Appendix Y). Therefore, the addition of 

wildfire-related emissions is what caused the 1-hour ozone exceedance 

measured on July 10, 2008. 
6

FIGURES AND TABLES FOR METEOROLOGICAL DISCUSSION

EPISODE 4: JULY 10, 2008

Figure 1

Map of Fires for June 20 through July 10, 2008
7

Table 1

List of Fires for June 20 through July 10, 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 July 10, 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 00000010 Siskiyou 238 41.600 -123.573

BOTTLE 20080621 20080622 19 00000038 00000038 El Dorado 26 38.954 -120.823

FORESTHILL 20080621 20080625 55 013273 Placer 31 39.020 -120.780

SOLDIER 20080621 20080624 30 00000037 00000037 El Dorado 34 38.778 -120.552

TWENTY 20080621 20080625 1355 013264 Yuba 38 39.181 -121.481

CAPPS 20080621 20080622 19 00000027 00000027 El Dorado 39 38.652 -120.442

PEAVINE 20080621 20080706 581 00000040 00000040 Placer 40 39.067 -120.610
9

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through July 10, 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 00000037 Placer 47 39.219 -120.629

WESTVILLE 20080621 20080801 11090 00000041 00000041 Placer 48 39.198 -120.570

SCOTCHMAN 20080621 20080703 1165 00000025 00000025 Nevada 51 39.350 -120.766

FALL 20080621 20080715 2417 00000033 00000033 Nevada 54 39.375 -120.699

FORBESTOWN 20080621 20080624 26 00000058 00000058 Yuba 58 39.527 -121.225

CELINA 20080621 20080702 309 00000032 00000032 Sierra 59 39.479 -120.770

25 FIRE 20080621 20080626 168 00000031 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 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 00000013 Tehama 105 40.189 -121.480

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

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through July 10, 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 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 00000016 Mendocino 113 39.542 -122.967

BIG 20080621 20080705 2193 00000012 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 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 July 10, 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 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 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 00000038 Trinity 137 40.022 -123.044

NAVARRO 20080621 20080626 1853 004657 Mendocino 137 39.204 -123.625

IRON 20080621 20080823 30660 00000118 00000118 Tehama 138 40.140 -122.923

YELLOW 20080621 20081120 31933 00000047 00000047 Trinity 139 40.062 -123.056

SHAMROCK WEST 20080621 20080712 46 004699 Mendocino 139 39.669 -123.430

BULL 20080621 20080627 40 00000040 00000040 Trinity 140 40.006 -123.150

GROUSE 20080621 20080705 6324 00000033 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 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 July 10, 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 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 00000016 Monterey 170 36.256 -121.642

FISHER 20080621 20080705 35 00000153 Trinity 170 40.449 -123.395

LOGWOOD 20080621 20080727 20 00000017 00000017 Monterey 172 36.231 -121.697

MINERS 20080621 20081031 24876 00000106 00000106 Trinity 175 40.637 -123.268

EAGLE 20080621 20081004 32024 00000066 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 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 July 10, 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 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 00000015 Siskiyou 200 41.199 -123.042

PACKSADDLE 20080621 20080624 35 00000039 Humboldt 212 41.168 -123.520

CRAPO 20080621 20080731 15 00000016 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 00000026 Del Norte 241 41.537 -123.785

DARK 20080621 20080723 10390 00000011 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 08-1477 Marin 101 38.231 -122.946

CLIFF RIDGE 20080622 20080712 4658 004752 Mendocino 132 39.051 -123.569

THOMES 20080622 20080630 980 00000029 00000029 Tehama 132 40.035 -122.918
14

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through July 10, 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 00000031 Tehama 133 40.092 -122.854

VINEGAR 20080622 20080625 14544 00000030 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 00000044 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 005161 Mendocino 124 39.260 -123.347

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

HORSE 20080628 20080704 576 005164 Mendocino 126 39.195 -123.414

NOMANS 20080628 20080820 119 00000050 00000050 Siskiyou 244 41.722 -123.519

PIUTE 20080628 20080730 37346 00000018 Kern 270 35.496 -118.339

FULLER 20080629 20080722 68 00000024 Madera 136 37.404 -119.270

OLD 20080630 20080630 40 013940 Placer 18 38.923 -121.015

WIGGELL 20080701 20080701 300 000348 44 Tulare 222 36.021 -118.907

BTU LIGHTNING COMPLEX 20080702 20080724 53699 007660 Butte 83 39.859 -121.447

RIVER 1 20080704 20080706 1 005184 Mendocino 108 39.016 -123.120

JACK SMITH 20080704 20080712 1538 005155 Mendocino 123 39.263 -123.320

LOW GAP 20080704 20080715 1347 005160 Mendocino 124 39.156 -123.386

ORR SERIES 20080704 20080712 3416 005165 Mendocino 125 39.220 -123.394

BUTCH 20080704 20080704 2367 005132 Mendocino 129 39.710 -123.173
15

Table 1 (continued)

List of Fires for June 20 through July 10, 2008

Fire Name Alarm 

Date

Containment 

Date Acreage Incident Number

Fire 

Number County Name

Distance 

from 

Folsom 

(miles)

Latitude Longitude

JAMESON 20080704 20080712 880 005152 Mendocino 131 39.690 -123.237

BRUSHY 4 20080704 20080712 181 005150 Mendocino 132 39.664 -123.276

1-21 PORK LIGHTNING 20080704 20080712 403 005129 Mendocino 132 39.876 -123.104

MURPHY RIDGE 20080704 20080704 272 005130 Mendocino 134 39.858 -123.161

BRUSHY 2 20080704 20080708 10 005149 Mendocino 134 39.686 -123.311

MIDDLE OUTLET LIGHTNING 20080704 20080715 135 005180 Mendocino 135 39.579 -123.405

BLUE NOSE 20080704 20080704 51 005144 Mendocino 137 39.898 -123.186

SKUNK 1 20080704 20080708 8 005131 Mendocino 138 39.766 -123.337

BURGER CREEK 20080704 20080712 452 005170 Mendocino 139 39.722 -123.383

BLUE SLIDE 1 20080704 20080714 186 005127 Mendocino 140 39.895 -123.268

CASOOSE CREEK 20080704 20080704 371 005139 Trinity 142 40.005 -123.211

TRAVIS 3 20080704 20080704 25 005147 Trinity 145 40.046 -123.219

PANTHER BASIN 20080704 20080710 68 005143 Trinity 145 39.986 -123.284

H. RANCH 20080704 20080704 100 005142 Trinity 149 39.986 -123.398

BELL SPRINGS 20080704 20080709 90 005169 Mendocino 156 39.951 -123.571

LOST PIPE 20080704 20080710 1187 005136 Mendocino 156 39.783 -123.720

TRAVIS 1 20080705 20080705 1171 005227 Trinity 144 40.019 -123.231

EVANS 20080706 20080706 104 006273 Calaveras 39 38.184 -120.831

WILMS 20080706 20080706 57 006292 Stanislaus 69 37.787 -120.623

FRIEND-DARNELL 20080708 20080721 4112 00000539 Butte 66 39.633 -121.311

CLAVEY 20080708 20080711 11 00000028 Tuolumne 76 38.059 -120.013

HILL 20080710 20080714 12 00002355 Mariposa 105 37.757 -119.628

COTTONWOOD 20080710 20080711 797 009015 Merced 110 37.095 -121.141

SODA 20080710 20080710 46 0821569 Kern 293 34.854 -118.881
16

Figure 2

Visible Satellite Image

July 8, 2008, 1231 PST

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

(250 meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/data/imagery/2008190/ca-north-000/crefl2_A2008190203111-

2008190204027_250m_ca-north-000_143.jpg

Folsom
17

Table 2

Summary of Smoke and Haze Observations at 

Southern Sacramento Valley Airports* during June 8 through 10, 2008

Date Number of Hours with Haze 

and/or Smoke Observations

Percent of Hours 

in Day with Haze 

and/or Smoke

July 8, 2008 24 100

July 9, 2008 23 96

July 10, 2008 (00-1200 PST) 13 100

* Hour counted as having haze or smoke if at least one of the three southern 

Sacramento Valley airports (Mather Field, Sacramento Executive, or Sacramento 

International) reported such.
18

Figure 3

NOAA Daily 500 mb Weather Map

July 9, 2008, 0400 PST

http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/dailywxmap/index_20080709.html
19

Table 3

Paradise-Airport and Cool Hourly Winds July 9-10, 2008

Date Start Time 

(PST)

Paradise-Airport Cool-Highway 193

Wind Speed 

(miles/hour)

Wind Direction 

(degrees)

Wind Speed 

(miles/hour) Wind Direction (degrees)

07092008

0:00 9.2 54 3.5 27

1:00 9.2 58 2.3 45

2:00 8.1 60 3.5 53

3:00 1.2 326 4.6 49

4:00 1.2 0 3.5 46

5:00 1.2 246 3.5 35

6:00 5.8 358 4.6 30

7:00 8.1 28 5.8 27

8:00 5.8 26 4.6 30

9:00 0 225 3.5 333

10:00 0 198 4.6 299

11:00 1.2 232 4.6 278

12:00 3.5 255 4.6 265

13:00 2.3 241 5.8 268

14:00 1.2 198 4.6 273

15:00 1.2 281 5.8 291

16:00 2.3 215 6.9 301

17:00 2.3 214 3.5 279

18:00 3.5 172 2.3 285

19:00 3.5 58 1.2 47

20:00 6.9 43 3.5 34

21:00 6.9 38 3.5 40

22:00 9.2 37 3.5 48

23:00 9.2 40 2.3 51

07102008

0:00 9.2 41 3.5 57

1:00 9.2 42 4.6 49

2:00 9.2 42 3.5 48

3:00 11.5 37 3.5 52

4:00 9.2 36 3.5 43

5:00 8.1 43 3.5 47

6:00 9.2 44 2.3 54

7:00 8.1 48 3.5 28

8:00 1.2 68 1.2 135

9:00 1.2 174 2.3 171

10:00 2.3 207 3.5 201

11:00 3.5 216 6.9 213
20

Table 3 (continued)

Paradise-Airport and Cool Hourly Winds July 9-10, 2008

Date Start Time 

(PST)

Paradise-Airport Cool-Highway 193

Wind Speed 

(miles/hour)

Wind Direction 

(degrees)

Wind Speed 

(miles/hour)

Wind Direction 

(degrees)

07102008

12:00 3.5 218 4.6 225

13:00 3.5 216 4.6 222

14:00 3.5 220 5.8 213

15:00 1.2 181 5.8 212

16:00 2.3 127 4.6 207

17:00 2.3 110 3.5 208

18:00 2.3 89 2.3 210

19:00 2.3 148 1.2 78

20:00 3.5 73 2.3 57

21:00 4.6 40 2.3 64

22:00 5.8 26 2.3 47

23:00 6.9 42 2.3 44
21

Table 4

Thomes Creek (33 miles SW of Red Bluff)

Hourly Winds July 9-10, 2008

Date Hour (PST) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Direction

07092008

0:51 10 W

1:51 9 W

2:51 14 WSW

3:51 13 WSW

4:51 14 WSW

5:51 15 WSW

6:51 11 WSW

7:51 9 W

8:51 9 W

9:51 4 SW

10:51 5 NNW

11:51 3 NNE

12:51 4 ENE

13:51 4 NNE

14:51 5 NNE

15:51 6 ENE

16:51 3 NNE

17:51 4 ENE

18:51 1 WNW

19:51 11 WSW

20:51 11 W

21:51 11 WSW

22:51 11 WSW

23:51 11 W

07102008

0:51 12 WSW

1:51 12 WSW

2:51 9 WSW

3:51 10 WSW

4:51 10 WSW

5:51 11 WSW

6:51 9 WSW

7:51 8 W

8:51 9 WSW

9:51 4 W

10:51 5 NE

11:51 6 NNE
22

Table 4 (continued)

Thomes Creek (33 miles SW of Red Bluff)

Hourly Winds July 9-10, 2008

Date Hour (PST) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Direction

07102008

12:51 5 NE

13:51 4 E

14:51 4 N

15:51 3 NNE

16:51 1 E

17:51 2 E

18:51 7 WSW

19:51 9 SW

20:51 11 WSW

21:51 10 W

22:51 7 WSW

23:51 9 WSW

ID: TCKC1

NAME: THOMES CREEK

LATITUDE: 39.8542

LONGITUDE: -122.61

ELEVATION: 1029 ft

MNET: RAWS
23

Figure 4

Surface Winds (Knots) July 9, 2008, 0300-0400 PST 
24

Figure 5

Surface Winds (Knots) July 9, 2008, 0900-1000 PST 
25

Figure 6

Surface Winds (Knots) July 9, 2008, 1500-1600 PST 
26

Figure 7

Visible Satellite Image 

July 9, 2008, 1314 PST

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

(250 meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/data/imagery/2008191/ca-north-000/crefl2_A2008191211421-

2008191212244_250m_ca-north-000_143.jpg

Folsom
27

Figure 8

Visibility (Miles) and Present Weather July 9, 2008 0300-0400 PST 
28

Figure 9

Visibility (Miles) and Present Weather July 9, 2008 0900-1000 PST 
29

Figure 10

Visibility (Miles) and Present Weather July 9, 2008 1500-1600 PST 
30

Figure 11

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)

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

Equals a Specified Value at Folsom

(May-October 2004-2008)

Average & Median Value

July 10, 2008
31

Figure 12

Surface Winds (Knots) July 10, 2008, 0300-0400 PST
32

Figure 13

Change in Height of Mixing Layer at Elk Grove on July 10, 2008

Height of 

Mixed 

Layer
33

Figure 14

Visible Satellite Image

July 10, 2008, 1038 PST

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

(250 meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/data/imagery/2008192/ca-north-000/crefl1_A2008192183811-

2008192185022_250m_ca-north-000_143.jpg

Folsom
34

Figure 15

Surface Winds (Knots) July 10, 2008, 0900-1000 PST 
35

Figure 16

Visibility (Miles) and Present Weather July 10, 2008 0300-0400 PST 
36

Figure 17

Visibility (Miles) and Present Weather July 10, 2008 0900-1000 PST
37

Figure 18

Visibility (Miles) and Present Weather July 10, 2008 1100-1200 PST
38

Figure 19

Surface Winds (Knots) July 10, 2008, 12-1300 PST 
39

Figure 20

Visible Satellite Images

July 10, 2008, 1359 PST

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

(250 meter resolution)

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/data/imagery/2008192/ca-north-000/crefl2_A2008192215913-

2008192220520_250m_ca-north-000_143.jpg

Folsom
40

Figure 21

Visibility (Miles) and Present Weather July 10, 2008 1300-1400 PST