Improvements coming this weekend

Light to moderate smoke will continue across North Idaho today, with heavier smoke possible near the Panhandle and active wildfires. Central Idaho will also see some smoke, while South and East Idaho should stay mostly clear.

Smoke will remain widespread overnight into Saturday morning and may settle in valleys and low areas. Winds, showers, and thunderstorms will help clear the smoke Saturday afternoon. Gusty winds near storms may cause quick changes in smoke levels and direction.

Breezy winds Saturday night into Sunday will continue to improve air quality. Smoke should decrease across most of Idaho by Sunday, though some smoke may remain near wildfires and settle into valleys overnight.

The highest AQI levels are expected in North Idaho and near active wildfires today through Saturday morning. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality is possible. Air quality should improve later Saturday and Sunday.

RRFS Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 21 August 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 21 August 2026

Air Quality Advisory Issued for Portions of the Nez Perce Reservation

 

Panhandle to see greatest impacts today

Smoke will continue across North and parts of Central Idaho today, with the heaviest smoke in the Panhandle and near wildfires. South and East Idaho should stay mostly clear.

Overnight, smoke will settle into valleys, with moderate smoke expected in the Panhandle and heavier smoke possible near the Canadian border. Some improvement is expected Thursday, but smoke will linger across North and Central Idaho.

UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality is possible near wildfires and in parts of North and Central Idaho. 

EPA Lifts the Kootenai Reservation Air Quality Advisory and Burn Ban

Air quality on the Kootenai Reservation has improved and, in coordination with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lifted its Air Quality Advisory and Ban on Open Burning for the Reservation, effective immediately. 

Other restrictions on open burning remain in place, including those for fire danger, by Reservation officials or any federal agencies. Before burning always check with your local fire department or appropriate Tribal agency.        

For current burn ban and air quality advisories on Tribal lands, please call the EPA FARR Hotline at 1-800-424-4372, or visit the FARR website. 

Clearer skies continuing; some mild impacts in North Idaho

North Idaho will see light to moderate smoke, with more impacts possible in the Panhandle and near wildfires. Central Idaho will see mostly light smoke, with some moderate smoke in the Central Mountains. South and East Idaho should remain mostly clear.

Overnight into Wednesday, smoke from Washington and British Columbia will spread into North Idaho, bringing more moderate smoke to the Panhandle. Light smoke may also spread into Central Idaho, while South and East Idaho remain mostly clear. Wednesday afternoon winds should improve conditions somewhat, but light to moderate smoke will continue across North Idaho.

The highest AQI levels are expected in North Idaho, portions of Central Idaho,
and near wildfires. Some areas could briefly reach UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS levels.

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 18 August 2026.