Idaho Smoke Map

Idaho Smoke Map Legend

**(Preliminary Data Warning: Data found on the map shown below is preliminary and is subject to change. Data is in local standard time format - no adjustment for daylight savings time.)

Monday, August 19, 2013

8/19/13 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast



Updated Noon MDT  Monday, August 19, 2013
Valid through noon MDT Tuesday, August 20, 2013 

Smoke Outlook

Idaho DEQ has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution the following counties

  • Camas and Blaine – The Stage 1 is effective through Friday, August 23, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted.
  • Elmore – Stage 1 is effective through today at 3pm, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted
  • Lemhi – Stage 1 is effective through tomorrow at 10 am, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted.

The Ketchum/Hailey area is continuing to experiencing Hazardous air quality in the morning due to smoke from the Beaver Creek fire.  Significant smoke impacts are expected to continue in the Ketchum/Hailey area through tomorrow morning.  Other areas in the central Idaho Mountains are experiencing air quality in the moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups. The Ketchum monitor is no longer operational.  DEQ has installed an emergency monitor in Ketchum.  See below for information on accessing the data.  Air quality is forecasted to be in the Very Unhealthy with periods in the Hazardous for Ketchum/Hailey and moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups for other areas in the central Idaho mountains.  Salmon is forecasted to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups today.

Air quality has improved to the Moderate category in the southeast Boise/Mountain Home area.  Any smoke in the area this morning is expected to dissipate this afternoon.  However, some smoke is expected to move back into the Mountain Home area during the night.    DEQ is now issuing an air quality forecast for Mountain Home on its website.  Visit www.deq.idaho.gov/daily-air-quality-reports-forecasts. (Select Mountain Home from the dropdown menu.)  Air quality is forecasted to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in Mountain Home and Moderate for Boise.

Sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities.  When air quality is in the hazardous category (visibility of less than 1 mile) everyone should stay indoors and avoid exertion.

West winds will continue to transport smoke towards the east.  Eastern and southeast Idaho can expect light to moderate smoke impacts today and tomorrow morning.  Areas closer to the fires can expect heavy smoke impacts during the morning hours. 

6 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:



o    Fairfield – #Idaho1000
o    Mountain Home - #Idaho1002
o    Ketchum - #Idaho1005


o    Lowman monitor is Smoke#19
o    Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13
o    Challis monitor is Smoke#21
o    Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category
Visibility (miles)
Good
11+
Moderate
6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
3-5
Unhealthy
  -2¾
Very Unhealthy
1-1¼ 
Hazardous
Less than 1

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