Relatively limited surface smoke today

Near-surface smoke will remain relatively limited across much of Idaho today, with localized impacts near active wildfires and a more organized area of smoke moving into western Idaho. Areas of light smoke and haze are expected across portions of North and Central Idaho, with moderate concentrations near active fires. Across South Idaho, much of the Snake River Plain and East Idaho will remain comparatively clear, while south to southwesterly flow transports smoke northward from California into southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho. Light to moderate smoke is expected to spread across portions of southwest and west-central Idaho this afternoon. 

Overnight into Wednesday morning, continued south to southwesterly flow will carry the California smoke plume northward through western Idaho. Light to moderate smoke may extend from southwest Idaho into the West Central Mountains, while smoke concentrations gradually decrease farther south as the plume shifts northward. Areas of light smoke will also persist across North and Central Idaho, with localized moderate concentrations near active wildfires. Much of East Idaho should remain relatively clear of widespread near-surface smoke.

Wednesday, strengthening southwesterly winds and increasing shower and thunderstorm activity should improve smoke dispersion across much of the state. The plume affecting western Idaho will become increasingly diffuse as it shifts north and northeast, leaving mainly light smoke and haze across portions of southwest and Central Idaho by Wednesday afternoon. North Idaho will continue to see areas of light smoke with localized higher concentrations near active fires. Gusty winds and thunderstorm outflows may cause rapid localized changes in plume direction, but widespread smoke accumulation should remain limited. The highest AQI levels are expected near active wildfires with periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality are possible.

RRFS Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 1 September 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 1 September 2026

Light smoke and haze today; rain may be on the way this week

Near-surface smoke will be relatively limited across much of Idaho today, with the greatest impacts remaining near active wildfires. Areas of light smoke and haze are expected across portions of North and Central Idaho, with moderate to heavy concentrations near active fires. North Idaho will see scattered areas of light smoke, particularly across the Panhandle, while light smoke and haze impact portions of the Central Mountains. Across South Idaho, most areas will remain relatively clear of widespread near-surface smoke, although wildfire plumes will continue across portions of southwest Idaho and near active fires.

Overnight into Tuesday morning, smoke will remain generally localized as winds decrease and concentrations become more terrain driven. Smoke may settle into valleys and sheltered areas near active wildfires across North and Central Idaho, producing moderate concentrations. The RRFS model also shows smoke from southeast Oregon expanding toward southwest Idaho overnight, with light to moderate smoke potentially reaching portions of the western Idaho border and southwest Idaho by Tuesday morning. The Snake River Plain and East Idaho should remain comparatively less impacted.

Tuesday, increasing south to southwesterly flow will push additional smoke northward from southeast Oregon into southwest and west-central Idaho. Light to moderate smoke may become more widespread across portions of southwest Idaho and the West Central Mountains during the afternoon, with heavier concentrations near active fires and immediately downwind. Scattered light smoke will continue across North and Central Idaho, while much of East Idaho remains relatively clear. Increasing winds Tuesday afternoon and evening should keep smoke moving and limit widespread accumulation, although rapidly changing plume directions will be possible near active wildfires. The highest AQI levels are expected near active wildfires and within localized smoke plumes, where periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality are possible.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:21 UTC (9:21 a.m. MDT) on 31 August 2026

Smokier in the Panhandle; East Idaho relatively less impacted

Light to moderate smoke is expected across much of North and north-Central Idaho, including portions of the Central Mountains, with heavier concentrations across portions of the Panhandle and near active wildfires. Across South Idaho, generally light smoke and haze are expected across portions of southwest Idaho and the Snake River Plain. Localized wildfire plumes will continue near the Owyhee Mountains and the Magic Valley, while much of East Idaho remains comparatively less impacted. 

Overnight into Friday morning, increasing southwest to westerly winds will push smoke eastward and make concentrations more variable across the state. Smoke will remain widespread across portions of North and Central Idaho, with moderate to heavy concentrations near active wildfires and across parts of the Panhandle. Smoke may still settle into sheltered valleys where winds decrease overnight. South Idaho will remain comparatively less impacted, although smoke from fires in southwest and south-central Idaho may briefly spread downwind.

Continued mixing and breezy winds Friday should improve dispersion across much of Idaho, but light to moderate smoke will persist across portions of North and Central Idaho. The heaviest smoke will remain concentrated near active wildfires, particularly across the Panhandle and adjacent areas, where shifting winds may rapidly change plume direction and temporarily increase concentrations downwind. Increasing moisture and showers across portions of South Idaho Friday into Saturday should further limit widespread near-surface smoke there. The highest AQI levels are expected across North and Central Idaho and near active wildfires, where periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality are possible.

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 27 August 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 27 August 2026

Generally light to moderate smoke across the state (East Idaho mostly spared!)

Light to moderate smoke is expected across much of North Idaho and the Central Mountains, with pockets of heavier smoke across portions of the Panhandle, north-central Idaho, and near active wildfires. Across South Idaho, generally light smoke and haze will affect portions of southwest Idaho and the Snake River Plain. Smoke from fires in and near the Owyhee Mountains will produce localized plumes of moderate to heavy smoke, particularly near the mountains and immediately downwind, while much of East Idaho remains comparatively less impacted.

Overnight into Thursday morning, light to moderate smoke will remain widespread across North and Central Idaho and settle into valleys and low-lying areas, with heavier smoke near active wildfires. Smoke across the Owyhee Mountains and southwest Idaho will remain more localized, with concentrations increasing in valleys and sheltered areas near active fires overnight. By Thursday morning, light smoke and haze will persist across portions of southwest Idaho and the Snake River Plain, while North and Central Idaho remain the most broadly impacted areas.

Daytime mixing and increasing southwest to westerly winds Thursday will improve smoke dispersion across much of the state and begin shifting smoke eastward. Light to moderate smoke will continue across portions of North and Central Idaho, but concentrations should become more variable as winds increase ahead of the approaching trough and dry cold front. Moderate to heavy smoke will remain possible near active wildfires, and stronger winds may rapidly change plume direction and temporarily increase smoke concentrations downwind of fires. South and East Idaho should remain comparatively less impacted outside of localized wildfire plumes and periods of light smoke and haze. The highest AQI levels are expected across North and Central Idaho and near active wildfires, where periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality are possible.

RRFS Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 26 August 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 26 August 2026

Light to moderate smoke continues across much of Idaho

Light to moderate smoke is expected across much of North Idaho, with heavier smoke near wildfires and in parts of the Panhandle and north-central Idaho. Smoke will also reach the Central and West Central Mountains. South Idaho will see light smoke and haze, with some areas of light to moderate smoke in the Owyhee Mountains. East Idaho should see less smoke.

Overnight into Wednesday, smoke will settle into valleys and low areas in North Idaho and portions of the Central Mountains and Southwest Idaho. Areas near wildfires may see heavier smoke. Wednesday’s winds should help clear some smoke, but North and Central Idaho will continue to see light to moderate smoke.

The highest AQI levels are expected in North and Central Idaho and near wildfires. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups air quality is possible. South and East Idaho should be less affected. Stronger winds Wednesday into Thursday should improve conditions, but smoke may remain near wildfires.

RRFS Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 25 August 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 25 August 2026