DESCRIPTIVE TEXT NARRATIVE FOR SMOKE/DUST OBSERVED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
THROUGH 1800Z November 18, 2005

Southern California/Baja Mexico:
A large fire which broke out in Santa Ana wind conditions over south
central Ventura County of southern CA is producing a large smoke plume
which has spread generally westward and offshore. Some of the smoke
though has fanned out to the north a bit and is hugging the coastal
area around Point Conception. Other fires are noted over northern Baja
Mexico. The smoke from these fires is also moving in a westward direction
and offshore. However, smoke from the northern most fire near the border
of southern CA is responsible for smoke which appears to have crossed
over the border near the southern portions of San Diego.

Arizona:
Smoke from a fire east of Prescott, AZ in the vicinity of Cherry, AZ has
just started to become visible during the late morning. Gusty northerly
winds are pushing the developing smoke plume southward which eventually
could send it in the general direction of Phoenix.

Southern Plains/Lower Mississippi Valley/Southeast:
GOES Channel 2 data is beginning to detect scattered fires across the
region which will become more numerous as the day progresses. A few
of these fires are starting to produce visible smoke plumes which also
should continue to develop and become more numerous later this afternoon.

JS

Unless otherwise indicated:

Areas of smoke are analyzed using GOES-EAST and GOES-WEST Visible satellite imagery.

Only a general description of areas of smoke or significant smoke plumes will be analyzed.

A quantitative assessment of the density/amount of particulate or the vertical distribution is not included.

Widespread cloudiness may prevent the detection of smoke even from significant fires.