Air Quality Advisory in Effect for 35 of 44 Idaho Counties

 

Whoa! Smoky skies across most of state!

Thick smoke spread across Idaho overnight, with the highest near-surface concentrations across South and Central Idaho. Smoke will remain widespread through Tuesday, with the heaviest concentrations expected across the Treasure Valley and Owyhee Mountains. Smoke will continue to spread across the Snake River Plain and Central Mountains, while moderate to heavy smoke persists across parts of North Idaho. Some improvement is expected across the Panhandle today as afternoon winds help disperse smoke. In East Idaho, easterly overnight winds should improve conditions before patchy smoke returns late Tuesday morning.

Tonight, cooler temperatures will trap lingering smoke in valleys and other low-lying areas, causing local AQI levels to increase until inversions break Tuesday morning. The highest AQI is expected across portions of the Treasure Valley, where VERY UNHEALTHY air quality is possible. Elsewhere, parts of the Snake River Plain and Clearwater Basin could see brief periods of UNHEALTHY air quality.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:41 UTC (9:41 a.m. MDT) on 27 July 2026 shows clouds moving through East Idaho. Areas of smoke are visible over Washington, Central Oregon, and most of Idaho.

 

 

More smoke moved in overnight

Today, air quality is mostly forecast to be in the GOOD to UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS range.

Overnight, patchy smoke moved into the Clearwater Basin, Treasure Valley, and Panhandle. Light smoke remains across much of Idaho. Afternoon winds will help mix the air, but cooler temperatures tonight will trap smoke in valleys and low-lying areas until late morning. Air quality will be worst in parts of the Treasure Valley, Panhandle, and Clearwater Basin, where brief UNHEALTHY conditions are possible.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 8:31 a.m. MDT on July 24, 2026 shows clouds moving through north Idaho. Areas of smoke are visible over Washington, Central Oregon, and portions of Idaho.