Air still looking Good to Moderate across state

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Moderate range. Areas near remaining local fires could experience brief periods of Unhealthy. 

The fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho and Central Oregon are continuing to generate smoke and haze, though regional impacts have diminished with recent rain. As the fires are smoldering, light smoke and haze will linger in the local areas. Currently, light smoke and haze are seen across the Treasure Valley. This afternoon, the light smoke and haze will linger across South Idaho through Thursday afternoon. As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke and haze can become trapped under surface temperature inversions and raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later the in morning, offering clearing.

Video: The HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model, initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 18, 2024, shows that the regional smoke and haze impacts from wildfires have diminished with recent weather moving through. 

Rainy days clearing smoke

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Moderate range.

Fires are smoldering in the Central Mountains of Idaho and Central Oregon, generating light smoke and haze that will linger in local areas. This afternoon, the light smoke and haze seen across portions of the state will dissipate as winds increase and weather moves in.

Video: The HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model, initialized at 12 a.m. MDT September 17, 2024, shows that the regional smoke and haze impacts from wildfires have diminished with recent weather moving through.

Clean air continues!

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Moderate range. Areas near local fires still burning may experience Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality.

Fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho and Central Oregon are continuing to generate some smoke and haze, but the regional impacts have been lessened with recent weather moving through. This afternoon, the light smoke and haze seen across portions of the state will dissipate as winds increase and weather moves in. An area of light smoke will drift north into southern Idaho from Nevada this afternoon before dispersing overnight. Light smoke and haze will linger around local fires.

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model, initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 16, 2024, shows that the regional smoke and haze impacts from wildfires have been lessened with recent weather moving through.

Go enjoy the cleaner air!

Today’s air quality is forecast to be Good to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, depending on location and time. Areas near local fires could experience brief periods of Unhealthy air.

Fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho and Central Oregon are continuing to generate smoke and haze, but the regional impacts have been reduced by recent weather moving through. This afternoon, light smoke and haze will drift east through the eastern highlands and into the Treasure Valley this evening. Light smoke and haze will slowly drift north overnight and into the Clearwater Basin tomorrow morning. Light smoke and haze will drift north from Utah and into eastern Idaho tomorrow morning. As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke can become trapped under surface temperature inversions and raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later the in morning, offering limited clearing.

Video: The HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model, initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 13, 2024, shows that the regional smoke and haze impacts from wildfires have been lessened with recent weather moving through.

Smoke production reduced thanks to rain!

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups depending on time and location. Areas near local fires could experience brief periods of Unhealthy air.

Fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho and Central Oregon are generating smoke and haze across portions of the Central Mountains, the Idaho Panhandle, and southern and eastern Idaho. Recent precipitation and cooler temperatures have decreased smoke production across these fires. This afternoon, the elevated westerly winds will continue to push the smoke and haze into eastern Idaho with clearing expected for southern and eastern Idaho this evening. Light smoke and haze will linger over the Idaho Panhandle, eventually dispersing tomorrow morning. Localized areas of patchy to thick smoke will remain near fire locations in the Central Mountains. Tomorrow morning, light smoke and haze will drift into the Eastern Highlands, Southeast Highlands, and the Upper Snake River Plain before clearing out tomorrow evening.

Video: HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model, initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 12, 2024, shows light smoke and haze over portions of the Idaho Panhandle, Eastern Highlands, and Southeast Highlands. Pockets of patchy to thick smoke are seen near local wildfires.

Clearing is on the way!

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Very Unhealthy range. Areas near local fires could experience periods of Hazardous air quality.

Smoke from fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho and Central Oregon impacting portions of the Central Mountains, North Idaho, and southern and eastern Idaho. This afternoon, smoke from Oregon fires will move into southern Idaho. Smoke and haze from the Central Mountains will push into North Idaho ahead of the weather system. Light to patchy smoke and haze will drift into eastern Idaho from Utah this afternoon. As the weather moves in today, limited to good clearing will take place across portions of the state. Later tonight, patchy smoke and haze from Oregon fires will continue to move back into southern Idaho, while patchy smoke and haze from Central Mountains fires will also move into southern and eastern Idaho. Light smoke and haze will wrap back around the low-pressure center and flow into the Idaho Panhandle from the north. As the winds remain breezy tomorrow morning, more limited to good clearing is expected across most locations outside of local fires. Patchy to thick smoke and haze will stay over portions of the Central Mountains.

Video: HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model, initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 11, 2024, shows areas of smoke and haze from the Central Mountains and eastern Oregon extending across portions of the Central Mountains, North Idaho, South Idaho, and East Idaho. 

Smoke and haze everywhere! Fingers crossed for coming rain!

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Very Unhealthy range. Areas around the Central Mountains fires could experience periods of Hazardous air quality.

The fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho and Central Oregon are generating areas of smoke and haze across portions of the Central Mountains, North Idaho, South Idaho, and East Idaho. Limited afternoon clearing is expected for southern, eastern, and North Idaho. Overnight, patchy smoke and haze will flow into southern Idaho from wildfires in Oregon, while patchy smoke and haze will flow into eastern and North Idaho. As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke can become trapped under surface temperature inversions and raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later the in morning, offering limited clearing.

Video: HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model, initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 10, 2024, shows areas of smoke and haze from the Central Mountains and eastern Oregon extending across portions of the Central Mountains, North Idaho, South Idaho, and East Idaho.

 

Smoke impacts more widespread now

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Very Unhealthy range. Areas near the fires in the Central Mountains could experience periods of Hazardous air quality.

The fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho and eastern Oregon are generating areas of smoke and haze across portions of the Central Mountains, North Idaho, and portions of the Treasure Valley. This afternoon, patchy smoke and haze will drift into southern and eastern Idaho. Limited clearing is expected for portions of the Clearwater Basin and the Owyhee Mountains. With winds becoming breezy, smoke from the Central Mountains will move eastward into Montana. Overnight, patchy smoke and haze will linger over the Treasure Valley, the Magic Valley, eastern and northern Idaho before more limited clearing takes place tomorrow afternoon. Patchy to thick smoke and haze will stay over portions of the Central Mountains. As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke can become trapped under surface temperature inversions and raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later the in morning, offering limited clearing.

Video: HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model,, initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 9, 2024, shows areas of smoke and haze from the Central Mountains and eastern Oregon extending into portions of North, East, and South Idaho. This afternoon, patchy smoke and haze will drift into South and East Idaho.

 

Some clearing over southern and eastern Idaho but lingers overnight

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Very Unhealthy range. Areas near the Central Mountains fires may experience periods of Hazardous air quality.

The Central Mountains fires are generating smoke and haze across portions of the Central Mountains, southern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and the Clearwater Basin. This afternoon, patchy smoke and haze from the Central Mountains will slowly drift into southern Idaho, the Clearwater Basin, and the eastern highlands. Limited clearing is expected for portions of southern and eastern Idaho. Overnight, smoke and haze will linger over the Central Mountains, the Treasure Valley and the Clearwater Basin. As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke can become trapped under surface temperature inversions and raise local Air Quality Index levels until the inversions break later the in morning, offering limited clearing.

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model, initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 6, 2024, shows areas of smoke and haze from the Central Mountains extending into portions of North and southern Idaho.

EPA Lifts Air Quality Advisory on the Ft Hall Reservation

Air quality has improved on the Fort Hall Reservation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lifted its Air Quality Advisory effective immediately.         

Restrictions on open burning, including those for fire danger, by the Tribe or other federal agencies remain in place. Before burning always check with your local fire department or appropriate tribal agency.                 

EPA thanks all reservation residents for their cooperation in protecting and maintaining good air quality.                

For current burn ban and air quality advisories on tribal lands, please call the EPA FARR Hotline at 1-800-424-4372, or visit https://www.epa.gov/farr/burn-bans-indian-reservations-id-or-and-wa#current-bans.  

DEQ and EPA have issued Air Quality Advisories

EPA Issues Air Quality Advisory on Fort Hall Reservation       

       

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10, in coordination with the Shoshone Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation, has issued an air quality advisory on the Fort Hall Reservation due to the elevated pollution caused by regional fires.

 

Weather forecasts indicate poor air quality may continue at least through the end of the week. The advisory begins immediately and is in effect until further notice. Burn bans for fire safety may also be in place. 

 

Air pollution can harm health and may have lasting effects. People who are at greater risk from the effects of smoke include those who are pregnant, have heart or lung conditions, elders and children. Everyone should monitor their reactions and take precautions such as using an N95 mask or reducing activity levels if symptoms like coughing increase. 

  

To check conditions in your area, go to https://fire.airnow.gov/.  For current Advisory status on tribal lands, call the EPA FARR Hotline at 1-800-424-4372, or visit https://www.epa.gov/farr/burn-bans-indian-reservations-id-or-and-wa#current-bans. For burning restrictions in areas outside reservation boundaries, please contact your local clean air agency or fire department. 

_______________________________

 Visit the DEQ Open Burn Map for affected counties. 

Smoke across all of south Idaho and beginning to impact the north

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Very Unhealthy range. Folks around the Central Mountains fires could experience brief periods of Hazardous air quality.

The fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho are generating areas of thick smoke and haze across portions of the Central Mountains, South Idaho, and East Idaho. This afternoon, smoke from the Central Mountains will drift into the Magic Valley, the Treasure Valley, and East Idaho. Limited clearing is expected for North Idaho this afternoon, when the winds drive the smoke and haze southward, although light smoke and haze will move south from British Columbia into the Idaho Panhandle later this evening. As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke can become trapped under surface temperature inversions and raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later the in morning, offering limited clearing.

Tomorrow morning, patchy smoke and haze will begin to drift into the Clearwater Basin from fires in the Central Mountains. Easterly winds will nudge areas of thick smoke across South and East Idaho westward and into Oregon with limited clearing expected for East Idaho. With the upper-level ridging strengthening, near surface smoke and haze will persist across most of the state.

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 4, 2024 shows areas of smoke and haze from local fires in the Central Mountains extending across South Idaho into East Idaho. Light to patchy smoke and haze are visible over North Idaho.

Hazardous air quality near fires in the Central Mountains

Today’s air quality is forecast to be in the Good to Very Unhealthy range. Areas near the Central Mountains fires could experience periods of Hazardous.

The fires in the Central Mountains of Idaho are generating areas of thick smoke and haze across portions of the Central Mountains and South Idaho. The upper low moving through is pushing more smoke across South Idaho towards East Idaho. Light to patchy smoke and haze are visible over North Idaho. This afternoon, areas of smoke from the Central Mountains will continue to drift into the Magic Valley, Treasure Valley, and East Idaho. Limited clearing is expected for North Idaho tomorrow afternoon as the winds drive the smoke and haze southward. Once the upper-level ridging strengthens, near surface smoke and haze will persist. As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke can become trapped under surface temperature inversions and raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later the in morning, offering limited clearing.

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke model initialized at 6 a.m. MDT September 3, 2024 shows areas of smoke and haze from local fires in the Central Mountains and East Oregon extending across South Idaho into East Idaho. Light to patchy smoke and haze are visible over North Idaho.