Friday 08/30/13-Monday 09/02/13 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated Noon MDT Friday, August 30, 2013

Valid through Noon MDT Tuesday, September 3, 2013 

Smoke Outlook

All DEQ-issued Stage 1 forecast and cautions have been lifted.

Atlanta continues to be impacted by smoke from the Little Queens fire to the north.  Air quality was in the moderate yesterday.  Today, air quality is expected to similar to yesterday.  Air quality is worse in the morning and then improves to the good to moderate category during the afternoon and evening hours, before returning to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.  Atlanta is forecast to be moderate today with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. 

Ketchum continues to experience air quality in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category in the morning before improving to good air quality by afternoon.  

Weiser is currently experiencing periods of unhealthy air quality before improving during the afternoon due to the Weiser Complex burner 15 miles to the northwest. 

Smoke will be transported to the east-northeast today with impacts mainly along the Central mountains.  The I-90 corridor near Coeur d’Alene should expect to experience light smoke impacts, as well as regions near the Raft and Hells Canyon 1 fire, essentially along highway 55 from New Meadows to McCall, and west on highway 95 from New Meadows to Weiser.  Garden Valley looks to also be affected by this smoke late tonight/early tomorrow morning.  Nocturnal drainage flow looks to bring smoke from the Kelley fire south into the Northern Magic Valley near Gooding and Shoshone.  Smoke from the Rim fire looks to be entering Idaho along the Oregon-Idaho-Nevada border and moving to the northeast and exiting the state near Salmon.

There is a threat of isolated thunderstorms over Eastern Highlands this afternoon.  Relative humidity values will fall into the lower teens across southern Idaho, except in the southern and eastern highlands.  Upper level ridging will build this weekend allowing much drier air aloft.  By Monday, ridge begins to move east, allowing moisture into western Idaho Monday morning with chance for elevated thunderstorms Monday afternoon.  This pattern will continue through Thursday.  Today, mixing heights look to be 5-6 K feet AGL in the Treasure Valley and 8-10 K feet AGL across the rest of southern Idaho with moderate to good dispersion.  Transport winds from the west-northwest in the Treasure and Magic Valleys at 10-15 mph and west-southwest across the rest of southern Idaho at 10-20 mph.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms in elevated regions along I-90 and through the Central Panhandle are likely this afternoon with seasonal temperatures through Saturday.  Sunday looks to be around 5 degrees warmer than normal while Monday brings increasing chances for precipitation, up to isolated in the Idaho Panhandle.  Today, 3-5 K feet AGL mixing with transport winds from the southwest at 15-20 mph can be expected.

 

6 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:

·         DEQ has installed monitors in Mountain Home, Fairfield, Ketchum, and east Boise. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Fairfield – #Idaho1000

o    Mountain Home - #Idaho1002

o    Ketchum - #Idaho1005

o    Boise - #Idaho1003

·         The USFS installed monitors in Atlanta and Challis.  The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl

o    Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13

o    Challis monitor is Smoke#21

o    Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

 

 

08/27/13 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated Noon MDT Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Valid through Noon MDT Friday, August 30, 2013 

 

Smoke Outlook

 

Idaho DEQ has lifted a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution for Camas and Blaine Counties. All DEQ-issued Stage 1 forecast and cautions have been lifted.

Atlanta continues to be impacted by smoke from the Little Queens fire to the north.  Air quality reached Unhealthy yesterday.  Today, air quality is expected to similar to yesterday.  Air quality is worse in the morning and then improves to the good to moderate category during the afternoon and evening hours, before returning to Unhealthy.  Atlanta is forecast to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups today with periods of Unhealthy. 

Sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities.  When air quality is in the hazardous category (visibility of less than 1 mile) everyone should stay indoors and avoid exertion.

Ketchum continues to experience air quality in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category in the morning before improving to good air quality by afternoon.  

Today poses the last day of significant lightning threat in southern Idaho as the upper level ridge strengthens and effectively cuts off any monsoon moisture from reaching Idaho, except for a sliver of the extreme Southeast Idaho near Bear Lake.  Winds speeds continue to be moderate to strong as upper level winds of 50 mph or so are overhead with the possibility of mixing down to the surface.  Mixing heights look to be from 6K-10K feet AGL with the mid-level moisture being the limiting factor over some air sheds.  Red Flag Warnings over southwestern and south-central Idaho today through this evening.  No red flags are listed in Eastern Idaho as fuels have been reported as non-critical due to precipitation received late last week.  Weather-wise, all of the criteria for a Red Flag Warning have been met, but fuel condition is the reason behind non-issuance in those zones.  This pattern of warm and dry conditions will persist through Sunday, while model confidence is low in what will happen beyond Sunday.

Smoke impacts for today will likely continue to be light and cover the Stanley and Salmon areas from the Little Queens fire and the Rim fire in California.  Smoke from several fires in southeastern Washington is likely to impact Idaho from Lewiston and Lapwai all the way north to the Idaho-Canadian border along the Highway 95 corridor, depending on fire activity.  Winds are expected to shift from the south to the southwest this afternoon, and then from the west by Friday and into this weekend. This afternoon and Thursday, areas to the northeast of fires may experience light to moderate smoke impacts and by Friday those areas east of fires may experience light to moderate smoke impacts.

 

6 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:

·         DEQ has installed monitors in Mountain Home, Fairfield, Ketchum, and east Boise. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Fairfield – #Idaho1000

o    Mountain Home - #Idaho1002

o    Ketchum - #Idaho1005

o    Boise - #Idaho1003

·         The USFS installed monitors in Atlanta and Challis.  The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl

o    Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13

o    Challis monitor is Smoke#21

o    Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

o     

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

 

 

8/27/13 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated Noon MDT Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Valid through Noon MDT Wednesday, August 28, 2013 

Smoke Outlook

Idaho DEQ has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution the following areas:

·         Camas and Blaine Counties – effective through Wednesday, August 28, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted.

Atlanta continues to be impacted by smoke from the Little Queens fire to the north.  Air quality reached was Unhealthy yesterday.  Today, air quality is expected to similar to yesterday.  Air quality is worse in the morning and then improves to the good to moderate category during the afternoon and evening hours, before returning to Unhealthy.  Atlanta is forecasted to be Unhealthy today. 

Sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities.  When air quality is in the hazardous category (visibility of less than 1 mile) everyone should stay indoors and avoid exertion.

Ketchum continues to experience air quality in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category in the morning before improving to good air quality by afternoon.  

South-southeast winds are expected to transport smoke from the Little Queens fire north and produce light smoke impacts  in the Central Idaho Mountains over to Salmon and western Montana today.  Tonight, drainage smoke from the Little Queens and Kelley fires is forecast to enter the Lower Snake River Basin and produce light smoke over southeast Boise before clearing out by afternoon.  Continued light to moderate smoke from the Rim fire in California is likely to impact Idaho along the Oregon-Idaho border before moving to the northeast across the Salmon River Mountains and across the Continental divide into Montana.

6 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:

·         DEQ has installed monitors in Mountain Home, Fairfield, Ketchum, and east Boise. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Fairfield – #Idaho1000

o    Mountain Home - #Idaho1002

o    Ketchum - #Idaho1005

o    Boise - #Idaho1003

·         The USFS installed monitors in Atlanta and Challis.  The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl

o    Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13

o    Challis monitor is Smoke#21

o    Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

 

 

8/26/13 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated Noon MDT Monday, August 26, 2013

Valid through noon MDT Tuesday, August 27, 2013 

Smoke Outlook

Idaho DEQ has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution the following areas:

·         Camas and Blaine Counties – effective through Wednesday, August 28, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted.

The areas of concern for air quality are Ketchum and Atlanta.  Atlanta is being impacted by smoke from the Little Queens fire to the north.  Air quality reached the Unhealthy category on Saturday in Atlanta, before improving to the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Sunday.  Air quality in Ketchum deteriorated to the Unhealthy category on Saturday before improving to the Moderate category on Sunday.  Atlanta is forecasted to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category for today and Ketchum is forecasted to be in the Moderate category for today. 

Sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities.  When air quality is in the hazardous category (visibility of less than 1 mile) everyone should stay indoors and avoid exertion.

Dry southwest flow will provide for generally clear skies and warmer temperatures.  There is a possibility of moisture entering Idaho on Wednesday.  Smoke from the Little Queens is expected to miss Salmon and mix with smoke from the Gold Pan Complex before moving north into the Missoula area.  Fires in eastern Oregon may transport light smoke into the Lewiston area this afternoon and evening.  Light smoke is expected to impact Idaho from Twin Falls west and north to Sandpoint due to the Rim fire in California.

6 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:

 

·         DEQ has installed monitors in Mountain Home, Fairfield, Ketchum, and east Boise. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Fairfield – #Idaho1000

o    Mountain Home - #Idaho1002

o    Ketchum - #Idaho1005

o    Boise - #Idaho1003

·         The USFS installed monitors in Atlanta and Challis.  The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl

o    Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13

o    Challis monitor is Smoke#21

o    Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

 

 

Air Quality Advisory Lifted for the Clearwater River Corridor on the Nez Perce Reservation

Monday, August 26, 2013; 9:30am

Description of Air Quality Event:

Air quality has improved along the Clearwater River Corridor from Lenore to Stites on the Nez Perce Reservation. The Air Quality Advisory is lifted.

Although air quality conditions have improved, wildfire smoke may continue move in and out of the area during the day and overnight. Some places may be more impacted than others, so please take appropriate precautions. 

Affected Areas:        

Clearwater River Corridor from Lenore to Stites on the Nez Perce Reservation.

AQI Category:          

Air quality is currently in the Good category for this area. See health-related information below. Also, visit the Idaho Smoke Information Blog at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/.

Restrictions:             

No restrictions.

AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
Air Quality Category	Health Advisory
Good	None.
Moderate	Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Hazardous	Everyone should avoid any exertion. Sensitive people should remain indoors.

 

Sensitive groups include infants, children, pregnant women, elders, people who have high exposure (those who work, exercise, or spend extensive time outdoors), and those with existing health conditions or chronic diseases like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, heart disease, or diabetes.

Nez Perce Tribe ERWM Air Quality Program

208-843-9381 | 1-800-720-4089

airquality@nezperce.org | www.nezperce.org

 

8/23/13 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated Noon MDT Friday, August 23, 2013

Valid through noon MDT Monday, August 26, 2013 

Smoke Outlook

Idaho DEQ has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and Caution the following areas:

·         Camas and Blaine Counties – effective through Monday, August 26, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted.

·         South Clearwater county communities near Weippe, Orofino, and Pierce; the Highway 12 corridor east from Kooskia to the Montana border; and the areas of White Bird and Riggins in Idaho County.  This Stage 1 is effective through Monday, August 26, at which time it will be re-evaluated and either extended or lifted.

The Stage 1 forecast and caution for Lemhi County has been lifted.

Air quality has improved significantly in the Ketchum/Hailey area.  Air quality is in the unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy in the morning and is improving to the good to moderate in the afternoon. The smoke clears daily by about 1 pm to 2 pm. Smoke moves back into the valley during the early morning hours.  Air quality is forecasted to be in the Moderate, with the morning hours in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, for Ketchum/Hailey, as well as other areas in the central Idaho Mountains, throughout the weekend. 

Salmon has also seen improvement in air quality.  Convective thunderstorms that moved through last night helped move the smoke out of the valley; however, smoke is expected to entrain over the weekend.   Currently Challis is experiencing light smoke impacts from the fires in central Idaho.  Salmon is forecast to be in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups through the weekend.

Sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities.  When air quality is in the hazardous category (visibility of less than 1 mile) everyone should stay indoors and avoid exertion.

The Severe Thunderstorms that passed through the southwest part of the state yesterday helped clear the smoke from the valleys; however, smoke is expected to move back into the valleys later today and throughout the weekend.  Southerly flow is bringing smoke from the Rim fire in the heavily-timbered Sierra Nevada Mountains of California into Southwest Idaho today.  A shift to southwesterly flow will take this smoke into the central Idaho Mountains and into Salmon by Saturday.  Smoke impacts from the Rim fire are expected to be light to moderate throughout the weekend.  Areas close to the fires will continue to experience periods of heavy smoke impacts.  Most areas of the state, except Southeast Idaho, can expect to see light to moderate smoke impacts throughout the weekend.

6 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor smoke impacts from wildfires:

·         DEQ has installed monitors in Mountain Home, Fairfield, Ketchum, and east Boise. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx

o    Fairfield – #Idaho1000

o    Mountain Home - #Idaho1002

o    Ketchum - #Idaho1005

o    Boise - #Idaho1003

·         The USFS installed monitors in Atlanta and Challis.  The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl

o    Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13

o    Challis monitor is Smoke#21

o    Users should be aware that the Forest Service site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).  To convert from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

 

 

Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Clearwater River Cooridor on the Nez Perce Reservation

Friday, August 23, 2013; 10:00am

Description of Air Quality Event:

Wildfire smoke continues to impact communities along the Clearwater River Corridor from Lenore to Stites on the Nez Perce Reservation. The Air Quality Advisory remains in effect for this area through 10:00am Monday, August 26, 2013.

Conditions over the next few days are forecasted to bring wildfire smoke into our region. Smoke may move in and out of the area during the day and overnight; some places may be more impacted than others, so please take appropriate precautions. 

Affected Areas:               

Clearwater River Corridor from Lenore to Stites on the Nez Perce Reservation.

AQI Category:

Air quality is currently in the Moderate category for this area, but may move into the

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category. See health-related information below. Also, visit the Idaho Smoke Information Blog at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/.

Restrictions:     

No EPA/NPT burn permits will be approved. This action does not apply to camping and

recreational fires or fires set for cultural or traditional purposes (FARR General Rule for Open Burning, Section 49.131).

Next Update:   

These restrictions are in effect through 10:00am Friday, August 23^rd, 2013. Conditions will be

reassessed at that time.

AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
Air Quality Category	Health Advisory
Good	None.
Moderate	Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Very Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Hazardous	Everyone should avoid any exertion. Sensitive people should remain indoors.

 

Sensitive groups include infants, children, pregnant women, elders, people who have high exposure (those who work, exercise, or spend extensive time outdoors), and those with existing health conditions or chronic diseases like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, heart disease, or diabetes.

Nez Perce Tribe ERWM Air Quality Program

208-843-9381 | 1-800-720-4089

airquality@nezperce.org | www.nezperce.org

 

 

Free N95 Respirator Masks Available in Wood River Valley

Free N95 Respirator Masks Available in Wood River Valley

Air quality in the Wood River Valley is starting to improve; however, public health officials would like to remind all residents to pay attention to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s air quality reports and forecasts to determine if the air quality is safe.

N95 Respirator Mask

If the air quality reaches unhealthy levels and Wood River Valley residents must be outside, it is recommended they use a N95 respirator mask to help protect against wildfire smoke. Paper dust masks commonly found at hardware stores do not protect against wildfire smoke. There are supplies of FREE N95 respirator masks available to the public at locations listed below, along with recommendations on using them.

Along with the masks, public health officials offer the following recommendations for protection from wildfire smoke:

• Everyone should avoid heavy work or exercise outdoors when the air quality index reaches unhealthy or hazardous levels.

• Daycare providers should keep children indoors for recess.

• Older adults, small children, and those with respiratory conditions or heart disease may be more sensitive to poor air quality and should stay indoors and avoid heavy work when air quality reaches unhealthy levels.

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps dilute phlegm in the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough out smoke particles. Plan on coughing; it is nature’s way of clearing your lungs. Avoid caffeine products, sugary drinks and alcohol because they have a dehydrating effect.

• Stay cool if the weather is warm. Run your air conditioner to recirculate air. Turn the fan blower on manually so it continuously filters the air in your home.

• For homes without a central heating and/or cooling system, use portable air purifiers to remove particles. Air purifiers that utilize HEPA filters are best; avoid using air purifiers that produce ozone. Visit areas in your community that have air conditioning, such as a library.

• If you wear contact lenses, switch to eyeglasses in a smoky environment.

Wood River Valley Locations for Free N95 Respirator Masks

The Community Campus 1050 Fox Acres Road Hailey, ID 83333	Hailey Public Library 7 West Cory Hailey, ID 83333
The Community Library 415 Spruce Avenue Ketchum, Idaho 83340	Bellevue Public Library 117 E Pine Street Bellevue, ID 83313
Sun Valley City Hall 81 Elkhorn Road Sun Valley, ID 83353	South Central Public Health District Bellevue Office 117 East Ash Street Bellevue, ID 83313
Fire Department Elkhorn Station 100 Arrowleaf Sun Valley, Idaho 83353

It is important to properly use the N95 respirator mask. Guidance for use includes:

• Place the respirator over your nose and under your chin, with one strap below the ears and one strap above (see photo above). If you’re wearing a hat, it should go over the straps.
• Pinch the metal nose clip tightly over the top of your nose.
• Facial hair will cause the respirator to leak, so you should be clean-shaven.
• It takes more effort to breathe through a respirator. It can also increase the risk of heat stress. If you are working outside while wearing a respirator, take frequent breaks, especially if you are working in the heat or doing heavy work. Be sure to drink lots of water.
• If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseated, tell someone, go to a less smoky area, remove your respirator, and get medical attention.
• People with heart or lung disease should consult with their doctor before using a respirator.
• Discard the respirator when: (1) it becomes more difficult to breathe through it or (2) if the inside becomes dirty. If necessary, use a fresh respirator each day.
• Keep your respirator clean and dry. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on use and storage.

Before using a respirator mask, remember the respirators:

• Are not recommended for use during exercise.
• Will not protect you if you have a beard.
• Should not be used without talking to a doctor if you have heart or lung problems.

Are not sized for children and should not be used on them.