DESCRIPTIVE TEXT NARRATIVE FOR SMOKE/DUST OBSERVED IN SATELLITE IMAGERY
THROUGH 0300Z February 27, 2006

Southern California/Baja:
Several significant fires increased in intensity during the afternoon
across the northern portion of Baja.  Locally dense smoke plumes
associated with these fires were observed spreading northeastward
just prior to sunset. Smoke from one of the fires had crossed over the
border into southeastern San Diego and Southwestern Imperial Counties of
southern CA. Another area of smoke had cross over the northern portion
of the Gulf of California and was heading in the general direction of
southwestern Arizona.

Northern California:
During the late afternoon, GOES Channel 2 data indicated a rather large
and increasing fire located just north of Mt. Shasta in south central
Siskiyou County of northern California. Due to extensive cloudiness,
smoke detection was limited. With the satellite presentation of the fire
being so impressive, it is likely producing at least a moderately dense
smoke plume which should be moving in a northerly direction based on
wind observations in the area.

Kansas/Missouri/Arkansas:
Only a few smoke plumes were detected with a rather large number of
fires scattered across the region. The plumes were mostly short, narrow,
and localized, and were moving in a north-northeast direction.

Louisiana:
Smoke plumes were observed moving southward and out over the Gulf of
Mexico from fires located over Iberia and St. Mary Parishes of south
central Louisiana.

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.