Air Pollution Forecast and Caution Extended for Central and Southern Idaho; Issued for Eastern Idaho

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Lewiston Regional Office has extended an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution for residents of Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, and Idaho Counties off the Nez Perce Reservation. The next update is expected Friday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Idaho Falls Regional Office has issued the Air Pollution Forecast and Caution for residents of Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties. The next update is expected Tuesday, September 15th.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Twin Falls Regional Office has extended an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution for residents of Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls Counties. The next update is expected Wednesday, September 16th at 1:00 p.m.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Boise Regional Office has extended an Air Quality Forecast and Caution for residents of Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington Counties. The next update is expected Wednesday, September 16th at 3:00 p.m.

 

Smoky skies across Idaho

The smoke came in Friday evening and Saturday morning and it has stuck around. Air quality across the state ranges from moderate in the southeastern corner to hazardous in the north. It is forecast to be in the moderate to very unhealthy range today.

A thick shield of smoke continues to cover most of the Northwest today as southwest to west winds push smoke from Oregon and California fires into Idaho. There are also several fires burning in Idaho that are contributing significant smoke to the mix as well. North Idaho may see some short relief this afternoon but it is unlikely to last as smoke continues to stream in from the west.

Southeast and east Idaho will see some improvement this afternoon with southwest flow bringing in relatively clear air from Nevada and Utah.

Overall, unfortunately, there is unlikely to be significant relief until later this week. Conditions are expected to remain about the same through the week as they  have been for the past two days with significant clearing not expect until at least Friday when the large low-pressure system off the coast looks to move through. 

GOES West “true-color” visible satellite imagery from 8:16-9:11 AM MDT showing smoke from regional wildfires covering much of Idaho.

Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation

 Monday, September 14, 2020, 10:00am

 Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation

The Air Quality Advisory issued for the Nez Perce Reservation remains in effect through 10:00am Friday, September 18^th, 2020, when conditions will be reassessed. Wildfire smoke from the Sunnyside Complex and fires in California/Oregon/Washington will continue to impact our region this week. Smoke may move in and out of the area depending on fire and wind activity; some areas may be more impacted than others. No EPA/NPT burn permits will be approved.

Air quality is currently ranging from the “Unhealthy” to the “Hazardous” categories of the Air Quality Index. To track regional air quality, visit the Idaho Smoke Blog or the AirNow Website. For AQI health-related information, visit: AQI Basics. 

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare has two charts that may be of interest: Community Guide for Staying Healthy During Wildfire Events and School Activity Guidelines for Wildfire Smoke Events.

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.

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

AirNow Website: airnow.gov  

Nez Perce Tribe Air Quality Program
P.O. Box 365 | 109 Lolo St.| Lapwai, ID  83540
208-843-9381 | 1-800-720-4089 | Fax: 208-843-7411
airquality@nezperce.org | farr.npterwmairquality.org
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Air Pollution Forecast and Caution Issued for Twin Falls Region

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Twin Falls Regional Office has issued an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution for residents of Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls Counties. The next update is expected Monday, September 14th at 1:00 p.m.

Air Pollution Forecast and Caution Issued for North and Southwestern Idaho

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Boise Regional Office has issued an Air Quality Forecast and Caution for residents of Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley and Washington counties. The next update is expected Monday, September 14th at 3:00 p.m.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Coeur d'Alene Regional Office has issued an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution for residents of Kootenai, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone and Benewah Counties outside of tribal boundaries. The next update is expected Monday, September 14th at 2:00 p.m.