Air Quality Advisory Lifted for the Nez Perce Reservation

 

Blue skies visible!

Light smoke will remain across North and parts of Central Idaho today, especially in the Panhandle and near active wildfires. South and East Idaho should stay mostly clear.

Smoke will settle into valleys overnight, with some improvement Tuesday as winds increase. The highest AQI levels are expected in North Idaho, parts of Central Idaho, and near active wildfires, with some areas possibly reaching UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS levels.

Source: HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 17 August 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 17 August 2026

Stay calm! It's happening (for most of us) -- clearer skies on the horizon

While some light smoke will be present for at times this weekend in North and Central Idaho today, South and East Idaho will stay mostly hazy or clear.

Overnight, smoke and haze will settle into valleys across North and Central Idaho. Saturday, showers and afternoon winds may help improve conditions though light to locally moderate smoke will still be possible in North Idaho through the weekend - mainly near active fires.

By Monday, stronger winds should help clear some of the smoke. However, smoke will continue near active wildfires. The highest AQI levels are expected in North and Central Idaho and near active fires. UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality is possible at times.

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 14 August 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 14 August 2026

Some smoke persists but conditions are improving in south and east Idaho

Today, North and Central Idaho will see the most smoke, especially near active wildfires. South and East Idaho should see improving conditions and mostly light smoke.

Tonight, smoke and haze will settle into valleys and low-lying areas, especially across North and Central Idaho. Conditions should improve Friday afternoon as winds, moisture, and daytime heating help clear the air. However, moderate to heavy smoke may continue in parts of North Idaho.

The highest AQI levels are expected in North Idaho and near active wildfires, where UNHEALTHY air quality is possible. Parts of Central Idaho and the West Central Mountains could see periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality. 

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 13 August 2026. 

Improving conditions expected tomorrow for southern Idaho

Near-surface smoke will remain widespread in Idaho with moderate to heavy smoke across parts of North and Central Idaho today and lighter smoke across much of South and East Idaho.

Overnight, smoke will settle into valleys and low areas, causing air quality to worsen in parts of North and Central Idaho and the Snake River Plain. Winds and daytime mixing will slowly improve conditions Thursday afternoon, especially across South and East Idaho. Moderate smoke will remain in parts of North and Central Idaho.

The highest AQI levels today are expected in North and Central Idaho and near active wildfires. Periods of UNHEALTHY air quality are possible in these areas. Parts of the West Central Mountains, Lemhi County, and the Snake River Plain could see periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:36 UTC (9:36 a.m. MDT) on 12 August 2026 shows widespread areas of smoke are visible over northeast Washington, parts of Central Oregon, and most of Idaho. Clouds are visible over South and East Idaho.