More moisture expected today

GOOD to MODERATE air quality expected for most of Idaho today. If you're near fires in the Central Mountains or North Idaho, you may experience brief periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS.

Most areas of the state will see limited clearing of light smoke and haze this afternoon before returning this evening. As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke and haze across Idaho will become trapped under surface temperature inversions and settle in valleys and low-lying areas which will raise local AQI levels until the inversions break tomorrow morning.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:16 UTC (9:16 a.m. MDT) on 12 September 2025 shows light smoke and haze visible at the surface over North Idaho. Thick smoke is visible emanating from fires in Washington. Clouds are seen over the Central Mountains, Clearwater Basin, and the Treasure Valley.

More showers but good air so get outside when you can!

Air quality is forecast to be GOOD to MODERATE across the state. Areas near local fires in North Idaho and the Central Idaho mountains could see UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS. 

Light to smoky haze with limited afternoon clearing across the state. And as always, any smoke and haze lingering in the area as temperatures decrease tonight will become trapped under overnight inversions in valleys and low-lying areas, raising AQI values before inversions break tomorrow tomorrow.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:21 UTC (9:21 a.m. MDT) on 11 September 2025 shows precipitation producing clouds across portions of Idaho with light smoke and haze visible at the surface over North Idaho. Thick smoke is visible emanating from fires in Washington.

Showers likely today

Once again, air quality is forecast to be GOOD to MODERATE today aside from areas near fires in North Idaho and the Central Mountains where air quality could reach UNHEALTHY.

More of the same today for Idaho - light to patchy smoke and haze with limited clearing in the afternoon. Lingering smoke and haze will become trapped under surface temperature inversions and settle in valleys and low-lying areas which will raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later in the morning.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:36 UTC (9:36 a.m. MDT) on 10 September 2025 shows lifted smoke from the Garnet Fire in central California passing over eastern Oregon, South and Central Idaho. Light to patchy smoke and haze are seen over North Idaho and eastern Washington. Clouds are seen above the smoke over South and Central Idaho, along with the northern portion of the Idaho Panhandle.

Most of state to have Good to Moderate air today!!

The air quality is forecast to be GOOD to MODERATE today across the state, though areas near the Central Mountains and North Idaho fires could experience brief periods of UNHEALTHY.

Over North Idaho, lingering patchy smoke over the Panhandle will see limited clearing with afternoon winds. Patchy smoke and haze will drift north from the Central Mountains this evening over North Idaho with limited dispersion from spreading where it will linger overnight. Light to patchy smoke and haze will linger for Central Idaho with limited dispersion in the afternoon. An area of patchy smoke will drift south from fires near the Idaho Washington border this afternoon towards the Lewis Clark Valley and combine with patchy smoke from the Central Mountains to keep light to patchy smoke over the area overnight. Light smoke and haze from the Garnet Fire continues to move over South Idaho this morning. With afternoon winds, clearing is expected for East Idaho as light smoke and haze will remain from the Magic Valley and to the west overnight. 

As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke and haze across Idaho will become trapped under surface temperature inversions and settle in valleys and low-lying areas which will raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later in the morning. 

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:36 UTC (9:36 a.m. MDT) on 9 September 2025 shows lifted smoke from the Garnet Fire in central California passing over South and Central Idaho. Light to patchy smoke and haze are seen over North Idaho. Clouds are seen above the smoke over South and Central Idaho, along with the northern portion of the Idaho Panhandle.

Light to patchy smoke in North and Central Idaho today

Today's air quality is forecast to be GOOD to UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS, though areas near fires in the Central Mountains and North Idaho could experience brief periods of UNHEALTHY.

Over North Idaho, westerly winds will nudge light to patchy smoke and haze from eastern Washington through the area and into Montana with limited clearing this afternoon before returning overnight. Light to patchy smoke and haze from the Central Mountain fires and fires in Washington, Oregon, and California will linger this afternoon and overnight for Central Idaho. Smoke from the Garnet Fire in central California is passing aloft over South Idaho. Later this evening more light smoke and haze will drop near the surface of the Snake River Plain and linger overnight before clearing in the afternoon. 

As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke and haze across Idaho will become trapped under surface temperature inversions and settle in valleys and low-lying areas which will raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later in the morning. 

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:41 UTC (9:41 a.m. MDT) on 8 September 2025 shows lifted smoke from the Garnet Fire in central California passing over the Snake River Plain. Light smoke and haze are seen in Central and North Idaho with clouds over eastern and Central Idaho.

Air Quality Advisory and Ban on Open Burning -- Kootenai Reservation

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in coordination with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, issued an air quality advisory for smoke on the Kootenai Reservation due to pollution from wildfire smoke. This advisory is effective immediately and will continue until 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8.

The current advisory is due to wildfires in Washington, Idaho and Canada. Smoke from these fires will continue to impact the region with increasing concentrations into Monday.  Intermittent periods of USG and Unhealthy air quality are expected through Sunday. 

EPA requests that residents reduce all additional sources of air pollution as much as possible. Sensitive people should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible. When pollution levels increase, the EPA recommends that all residents restrict activity. Links to more health information are on the EPA Tribal Smoke Resources website.

    

To check conditions in your area, visit the EPA AirNow website. 

Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation

 

Smoke skies covering the state

Today's air quality is forecast to be in the GOOD to UNHEALTHY range across the state, though areas with local fires in the Central Mountains and North Idaho could experience brief periods of VERY UNHEALTHY.

Smoke production across the Central Mountains continues to produce hazy conditions across Idaho while fires in eastern Washington, western Oregon, and northern California, western Montana, and British Columbia also contribute to the haziness.

Patchy to thick smoke and haze will linger with limited clearing over the Panhandle this afternoon while thick smoke will linger today over Central Idaho.

Patchy smoke is entering the Snake River Plain this morning and will drift westward towards Oregon. A shortwave trough will move through this afternoon allowing for limited clearing before more smoke settles in the valleys and low-lying areas overnight.

As temperatures decrease tonight, lingering smoke and haze will become trapped under surface temperature inversions and settle in valleys and low-lying areas which will raise local AQI levels until the inversions break later in the morning.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:36 UTC (9:36 a.m. MDT) on 5 September 2025 shows patchy smoke and haze across Idaho with few clouds over South Idaho. Thick smoke is seen over central Washington that has drifted eastward into North and Central Idaho. 

Air Quality Advisory - Kootenai Tribe of Idaho

Today, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho has issued an air quality advisory and a ban on open burning on the Tribal  Reservation due to the elevated pollution levels. 

The cause of the current advisory is due to numerous fires burning throughout Washington, Idaho and Canada.

 

Weather forecasts indicate poor air quality will continue for 4 days.

 

The burn ban applies to all outdoor burning - including agricultural, camping and recreational fires - in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership.

 

Residents can reduce all additional sources of air pollution, such as automobile exhaust, as much as possible.

 

Wildfire smoke is more than an irritant and can have long lasting effects on health. Sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible. Sensitive people include elders, children and people who have lung or heart conditions or are pregnant.

 

 

To check conditions in your area, visit the EPA AirNow website. To learn ways to protect yourself before, during and after wildfire smoke see the Air Now Wildfires website.

Patchy smoke still lingering over the state

Light to patchy smoke and haze are visible on local webcams as well. Over North Idaho, winds will shift from the northeast later this morning, nudging the thicker smoke and haze back into Washington while light to patchy smoke and haze will linger through the evening and overnight. That same northeasterly wind will also move patchy to thick smoke and haze from Montana and the East Central Mountains further into Central Idaho. As winds decrease overnight, smoke and haze will settle into the valleys and low-lying areas of Central Idaho before limited clearing takes place tomorrow afternoon. Over South Idaho, this northerly wind will drive patchy smoke and haze into the Snake River Plain this afternoon which will linger overnight with limited clearing expected tomorrow 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 in the morning. The highest AQI levels will be seen around those fires localized to the Central Mountains and North Idaho. Those areas could experience brief periods of VERY UNHEALTHY.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:21 UTC (9:21 a.m. MDT) on 4 September 2025 shows patchy smoke and haze across Idaho with clouds over South Idaho and the Central Mountains. Thick smoke is seen over central Washington that has drifted eastward into North Idaho.

Air Quality Advisory Issued for the Nez Perce Reservation

 

Lots of patchy smoke and haze today

Winds will become calm this afternoon and allow patchy to thick smoke and haze to settle in over North Idaho this evening and linger overnight. Likewise in Central Idaho, patchy smoke and haze from the fires in the Central Mountains will settle into valleys and low-lying areas this evening and linger through the night with limited clearing in the afternoon. South Idaho will see light to patchy smoke and haze drift in from the Central Mountains this evening and linger overnight as well with limited clearing in the afternoon. The westerly winds will continue to nudge light smoke and haze towards Idaho from the central Oregon, eastern Washington and northern California fires. 

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 in the morning. The highest AQI levels will be seen around those fires localized to the Central Mountains and North Idaho. Those areas could experience brief periods of UNHEALTHY. The rest of the state can expect air quality in the GOOD to the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS range.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:21 UTC (9:21 a.m. MDT) on 3 September 2025 shows light to patchy smoke and haze across Idaho with a few clouds over the Snake River Plain and the Central Mountains. Thick smoke is seen over central Washington that is drifting eastward towards North Idaho.

Patchy smoke lingering this evening and overnight

Winds will become calm this afternoon and allow patchy to thick smoke and haze to settle in over North Idaho this evening and linger overnight. Likewise in Central Idaho, patchy smoke and haze from the fires in the Central Mountains will settle into valleys and low-lying areas this evening and linger through the night with limited clearing in the afternoon. South Idaho will see light smoke and haze linger through the evening and overnight as well with limited clearing in the afternoon. The westerly winds will continue to nudge light smoke and haze towards Idaho from the central Oregon, eastern Washington and northern California fires. 

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 in the morning. The highest AQI levels will be seen in the Central Mountains and the Clearwater Basin. Those areas could experience brief periods of UNHEALTHY. The rest of the state can expect air quality in the GOOD to UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS range. 

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image shows light to patchy smoke and haze across Idaho with a few clouds over the Snake River Plain and the Central Mountains. Thick smoke is seen emanating from the Emigrant Fire in west central Oregon that is drifting eastward towards the Treasure Valley.

Possibly increased smoke production this weekend in Central Idaho

With the local fires and the smoke moving into the region from Oregon and California, light to patchy smoke will linger over North and Central Idaho with limited clearing this afternoon before smoke returns overnight. As conditions dry out this weekend, look for smoke production to increase again in Central Idaho.

The westerly winds will continue to nudge light smoke and haze into South Idaho from the central Oregon and northern California fires. 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 in the morning. 

The highest AQI levels will be seen in the Central Mountains and the Clearwater Basin. Those areas could experience brief periods of UNHEALTHY.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:21 UTC (9:21 a.m. MDT) on 29 August 2025 shows light to patchy smoke and haze across Idaho with a few clouds over the Snake River Plain and the Central Mountains. Fog is present in low-lying areas of the Clearwater Basin. Thick smoke is seen emanating from the Emigrant Fire in west central Oregon that is drifting eastward towards the Treasure Valley. Most of this smoke is aloft and not near the surface.

Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation

 

Rain --> Less Smoke --> Better Air?

Today's air quality is forecast to be Good to Moderate across most of the state while Central Idaho may see periods of Unhealthy.

Smoke production across the Central Mountains has been dampened by recent precipitation while the westerly winds are transporting smoke and haze from western Oregon and northern California into Idaho. 

Light to patchy smoke will linger over North and Central Idaho with limited clearing this afternoon from precipitation and westerly winds before smoke returns overnight. 

The westerly winds will continue to nudge light smoke and haze into South Idaho from the central Oregon and northern California fires. 

Lingering smoke and haze can become trapped under surface temperature inversions as temperatures decrease tonight and raise local AQI levels until the inversions break tomorrow morning. 

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:41 UTC (9:41 a.m. MDT) on 28 August 2025

Still Smoky in Central Idaho

Today’s air quality is forecast to be Good to Moderate for most of the state while the highest AQI levels will be seen in the Central Mountains and Clearwater Basin. Those areas could experience brief periods of Very Unhealthy air quality.

The main smoke producer is the Island Creek 14 miles east of Elk City though several other fires in the East Central Mountains and Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming are contributing to the impacts. Expect limited smoke dispersion this afternoon before more smoke settles in overnight, getting trapped under surface temperature inversion and raising local AQI levels until the inversions break tomorrow morning.

Video Source: RRFS Near Surface Smoke model initialized at 5 a.m. MDT, August 26, 2025

Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation

 

Central Idaho Socked in with Smoke

With the warm and dry conditions, smoke production has continued to increase across the Central Mountains. Overnight, the Island Creek Fire 14 miles east of Elk City, the Rock Fire 5 miles northwest of Donnelly, the Mire Fire 22 miles northwest of Powell, and several smaller fires across the East Central Mountains; along with other fires in central Oregon, western Wyoming, and western Montana have been the main smoke producers impacting Idaho. 

Smoke will linger over the Central Mountains and Clearwater Basin with limited clearing this afternoon before smoke returns overnight, while light to patchy smoke and haze will move into East Idaho, North Idaho, and the Treasure Valley this morning with limited clearing expected this afternoon and a return of light to patchy smoke overnight. 

Elsewhere, light smoke and haze is expected for most of the rest of the state with a brief reprieve in the afternoon before light smoke and haze fill in overnight. 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 in the morning. 

The highest AQI levels will be seen around those fires in the Central Mountains and the Clearwater Basin. Those areas could experience brief periods of VERY UNHEALTHY.

Video Source: RRFS Near Surface Smoke initialized 11Z (5 a.m. MDT) 25 August 2025.

Air Quality Advisory Issued for Clearwater, Idaho, Lewis, Latah, and Nez Perce Counties

 

Air Quality Advisory Issued for the Nez Perce Reservation

 

Air Quality Advisory in Effect for Lemhi County

 

Preventing Smoke

In the early 1940s, the U.S. Forest Service captured the seriousness of wildfire prevention with a bold message: "Death rides the forest when man is careless." 

Everyone plays a role in preventing wildfires and wildfire smoke. Most wildfires are human-caused and preventable. Stay vigilant this season and do your part to prevent a wildfire start: 

 

Never leave campfires unattended. Ensure they are completely extinguished by drowning, stirring, and feeling for heat. 

Avoid burning during windy conditions. Wind can cause embers to spread quickly, igniting dry vegetation. 

Use spark arresters on equipment. Chainsaws, ATVs, and other machinery can produce sparks that ignite dry grass and brush. 

Obey all local fire restrictions. Check before starting any outdoor activities that involve fire. 

 

Find more wildfire prevention tips here.