DESCRIPTIVE TEXT NARRATIVE FOR SMOKE/DUST OBSERVED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
THROUGH 1645Z AUGUST 22, 2008
Central Plains (US): A narrow strip of smoke and SO2 can be seen moving E in a line that extends from Gage, OK in a 35km wide line to Emporia to western KC, KS where it melds with a more N to S area that is about 150km wide from KC across W IA (between Des Moines and Omaha) into E MN from Albert Lee, MN to the Arrowhead of MN, where it becomes too difficult to distinguish between weather clouds...though there is some general haziness across clear areas of N Ontario, Hudson Bay, James Bay, and NW Quebec that may be associated with SO2 from Kasatochi volcano eruption (this is the 2nd pass around the globe). Wyoming into the Northern US Great Plains: The Gunbarrel fire has become very active again and consequently has produced quite a bit of smoke that is very dense near the fire but begins to thin out as it diverges across NE WY. A pocket of yesterday evening's output is still moderately dense across central SD into E ND in 100km wide (E-W) plume that extends from Pierre to Grand Forks (and most likely further north, but weather clouds obscure the area). Idaho: The South Barker fire is producing locally dense smoke within the valleys of NW Elmore county and exteme E Boise county. Some thin to moderately dense smoke can be seen moving above the higher mountain elevations but below the jet streak in the upper levels...seen by eastward moving cirrus streaks. This area is moving W to NW along across southern and eastern Elmore county toward SW/S Boise and Ada counties. Nevada: A small plume of thin smoke can be seen near the East Slide Rock Ridge fire in N Elko county. This plume is moving north and east. Tennessee: A fire in central Cocke county in far eastern TN is producing thin to moderate smoke that extends NW about 40-50km and is about 10-15km wide. Gallina