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.)

Friday, September 15, 2017

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Coeur d'Alene Regional Office has issued an Air Quality Advisory and Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and Caution

Air Quality Forecast and Caution - Issued

Date/Time Issued: Friday, September 15, 2017/10:00 a.m.

Expires: Monday, September 18, 2017/10:00 a.m.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an Air Quality Advisory and Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Benewah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties of degraded air quality. Due to wildfire smoke from fires in Canada, Montana and the western U.S. air quality has been degraded.  Air quality is currently in the UNHEALTHY for SENSITIVE GROUPS to UNHEALTHY categories and is forecast to continue to be degraded through Monday morning. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

Woodstove Burning Restrictions

Voluntary burn ban for residential wood burning activities.

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality in accordance with the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550).

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is unhealthy, everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups* may experience more serious effects & should avoid prolonged/heavy exertion & stay indoors. Everyone else should limit prolonged/heavy exertion & limit time outdoors.

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Coeur d'Alene at (208) 769-1422.

For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov.

For more information concerning local ordinances contact your local city or county.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

 

For more information on the AQI, visit http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.

For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

* Sensitive groups include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children.

 

Monday, September 11, 2017

Smoke Outlook



Air quality is forecast to range from Good to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups; however hourly readings may be higher at times.  Most recent monitor observations are currently reading in the Good to Moderate level for an hourly reading.  Yesterday saw levels that ranged from Good to Moderate with Riggins in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups for a 24hr AQI.   Conditions have improved dramatically across the state as consistent southwesterly winds provided clearing of smoke at the surface and aloft.
                                                                                                                                             
The upper low pressure system will begin to track to the northeast which will further weaken the upper level ridge currently in place over Idaho.  Surface winds will be from the west-southwest at 2-8 mph with locally northwest winds over portions of the Upper Snake River Plain, Treasure Valley, and Camas Prairie.  Skies will be sunny.  Mixing heights will range from 2,000-8,000 feet AGL across all of Idaho today with poor to marginal ventilation over the entire Snake River Plain and from Weiser south.  Ventilation is also poor to marginal over most of western central Idaho.  Transport winds will be from the west-southwest at 5-10 mph. 
 
Improvement of air quality is expected to continue today with light smoke possible from Boise to Riggins and east through the Salmon River Corridor to Salmon. This evening, regional smoke is expected over the Middle and Upper Snake River Plain; however concentrations will be light in comparison to previous readings.  Tomorrow, expect impacts to be localized to central Idaho, the Big, Little, and Lemhi drainages into the northern periphery of the Upper Snake River Plain.  Lofted smoke is expected to cover the northern Panhandle tomorrow as smoke from fires in Washington become more active today.

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.  

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. 

How to estimate air quality based on visibility for areas without an air quality monitor or airport visibility estimate:
a. Face away from the sun.
b. Determine the limit of your visible range by looking for targets at known distances (miles).
c. Visible range is when an object you can easily see in the distance disappears.
d. Use the visibility values above to determine the local wildfire smoke category.

AQI Category
Visibility (miles)
Good
11+
Moderate
6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
3-5
Unhealthy
1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy
1-1¼ 
Hazardous
Less than 1

Monday, September 11, 2017, 10:00am

Air Quality Advisory Lifted on the Nez Perce Reservation

Air quality has improved throughout the Nez Perce Reservation. The Air Quality Advisory is lifted.

Affected Areas: All areas on the Nez Perce Reservation.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Category: All areas on the Nez Perce Reservation are currently in the “Good” category of the Air Quality Index.

Although air quality conditions have improved, depending on fire activity and wind, wildfire smoke may move in and out of communities during the day and overnight. Some areas may be more impacted than others, so please take appropriate precautions. For AQI health-related information, visit www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=pubs.aqguidepart.

Sensitive groups include:
  • Infants, children, pregnant women, elders
  • People who have high exposure (those who work, exercise, or spend extensive time outdoors)
  • People with existing health conditions or chronic diseases like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, heart disease, COPD or diabetes.
Restrictions: No restrictions.

Idaho Smoke Information Blog:  idsmoke.blogspot.com
Idaho Fire Information Blog:  idahofireinfo.com
Idaho Department of Health and WelfareWildfire Smoke and Your Health
Idaho Smoke Information Hotline:  1-800-345-1007

Nez Perce Tribe ERWM Air Quality Program
208-843-9381 | 1-800-720-4089

Idaho DEQ has Lifted an Air Quality Forecast & Caution for the Southwest Idaho Area

Air Quality Forecast &Caution Lifted

Date/Time Issued: Monday, September 11, 2017/9:00 a.m.

Next Update: As Needed

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has lifted an Air Quality Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington County of improved air quality.  Due to improved air quality, BURNING RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING LIFTED. Air quality is currently in the MODERATE category and has shown steady improvement over the past 24-hour period. The pollutants of concern are Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Ozone.

Woodstove Burning Restrictions

Residential wood burning activities have been lifted. Please note local city/county burn restrictions may still apply.  Contact your local city/county office for more information.

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

Open burning restrictions have been lifted in accordance with the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550). Please note local city/county burn restrictions may still apply.  Contact your local city/county office for more information.

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is moderate, air quality is acceptable; however, people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience health impacts and should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Boise at (208) 373-0550.

For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov.

 

 

Saturday, September 9, 2017

DEQ Air Qualty Forecast and Caution Lifted for Magic Valley and Wood River Valley

Air Quality Forecast and Caution - Lifted

Date/Time Issued: Saturday, September 09, 2017/1:00 p.m.

Next Update: As Needed

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has lifted an Air Quality Forecast and Caution for Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls Counties because of improved air quality. Due to improved air quality, BURNING RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING LIFTED. Air quality is currently in the Good category and forecasted to be in the GOOD to MODERATE categories. Air quality is likely to change drastically with slight changes in fire behavior and weather conditions. Patchy areas of smoke are expected.

Woodstove  Burning Restrictions

No Restrictions

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

Open burning restrictions have been lifted in accordance with the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550).

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is moderate, air quality is acceptable; however, people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience health impacts and should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Twin Falls at (208) 736-2190.

For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov.

For more information concerning local ordinances contact your local city or county.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

 

For more information on the AQI, visit http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.

For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

* Sensitive groups include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children.