DEQ has stopped issuing daily smoke forecasts due to reduced wildfire activity and improved air quality throughout the state. All areas in Idaho, outside the 5 Indian Reservation boundaries, have been in the Good air quality category for the past few weeks. Air quality is forecast to remain in the Good air quality category for at least the next couple of days.
To find an air quality forecast for your area, visit the DEQ's Daily Air Quality Reports and Forecasts webpage.
DEQ will start issuing daily smoke forecasts again if wildfire activity increases.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
10/01/14 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast
DEQ has stopped issuing daily smoke forecasts due to reduced wildfire activity and improved air quality throughout the state. Air quality is forecast to remain in the Good air quality category for at least the next couple of days.
To find an air quality forecast for your area, visit the DEQ's Daily Air Quality Reports and Forecasts webpage.
DEQ has installed a monitor in Riggins. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx
DEQ has installed a monitor in Lowell. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx
o Riggins monitor is #1001
o Lowell monitor is #1002
View real time smoke monitoring at: http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires
View DEQ near-real time monitoring at: http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/
To find information on wildfire activity, visit Inciweb
DEQ will start issuing daily smoke forecasts again if wildfire activity increases.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.
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
|
Friday, September 26, 2014
09/26/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast
Updated 1000am MDT Friday, September 26, 2014
Valid through Noon MDT Monday, September 29, 2014
Smoke Outlook
The areas of concern today will be focused on the Clearwater
Drainage where heavy smoke was visible within the drainages on yesterday’s visible
satellite imagery. Smoke impacts were
relatively local yesterday as all of DEQ’s monitors were in the Good category
for the 24hr AQI except for McCall, which was in the Moderate category, and the
temporary monitor in Lowell, which was in the Very Unhealthy category.
Latest satellite imagery clearly shows the upper level trough beginning
to dive south and is splitting from the upper level low pressure system
currently located off the coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. There is a chance for morning showers across
the central and southwest parts of southern Idaho early this morning with a dry
period before showers return late this evening. Skies are expected to be partly
cloudy all day as isolated to scattered showers develop this morning before clearing
some, then showers again late in the afternoon.
Surface wind speeds will be between 5-15 mph with northwest flow in the
Southwest and Middle Snake River Plain with southwest flow across the rest
of Southern Idaho. Transport wind speed
is forecast to be in the range of 10-15 mph.
Transport wind direction is forecast to be south-southwest. This weekend looks to have persistent showery
weather across all of Idaho from I-90 south to the NV/UT border on both
Saturday and Sunday. Northerly winds
dominate the surface landscape on Saturday while easterly winds develop on
Sunday over the Clearwater Basin with speeds ranging from 5-10 mph. This weather is favorable for limiting fire
activity and smoke development; however, it also promotes low-hanging smoke in
low elevation regions and drainages.
This pattern persists into Monday as one upper level low pressure
systems tracks east; another system will approach the Washington Coast, near
Vancouver Island.
Smoke impacts today will be focused on the Central Idaho
Mountains with smoke forecast to cover Idaho north of a line running from
McCall to Salmon all the way to Sandpoint.
Light surface winds and an upper level split flow pattern will promote
limited dispersion as well as limited transport. Fires in California received some
precipitation last night which should help to limit smoke production. By Saturday, the limited movement of the
atmosphere will continue promote stagnant conditions with limited dispersion
coupled with a northerly wind shift, residual smoke is forecast to entrain to
the south. Smoke is forecast to cover a
region ranging from the Treasure Valley north to Sandpoint. On Sunday, coupled with the easterly wind
shift, impacts are forecast to stay north of the Salmon River to the Idaho
Canada border. There is a chance for
light impacts draining that evening into the Treasure Valley and east to
Mountain Home.
o
Riggins monitor is #1001
o
Lowell monitor is #1002
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
|
Thursday, September 25, 2014
09/25/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast
Updated
1000am MDT Thursday, September 25, 2014
Valid
through Noon MDT Friday, September 26, 2014
Smoke
Outlook
The areas of concern today will be focused on the Clearwater
Drainage as well as the Lower Snake River Plain late this afternoon. It should be noted that widespread haze and
light smoke aloft is forecast across all of western Idaho and north to the
Canadian border. Smoke impacts were relatively
local yesterday as all of DEQ’s monitors were in the Good category for the 24hr
AQI except for Potlatch, Cottonwood, and Boise.
The temporary monitor in Riggins was also in the Good category while the
temporary monitor in Lowell was in the Very Unhealthy category.
The upper level ridge pattern will be oriented from southwest to
northeast along a line running from New Mexico through Nebraska and into South
Dakota while an upper level low pressure system resides over British Columbia
with an elongated trough running down the coast to California. This will continue to bring dry conditions
with warm southwest flow over southern Idaho; however a cold front will begin
to enter northern Idaho this morning/afternoon and southern Idaho late this
afternoon-around 5 or 6pm. It is not out
of the question to see isolated showers across northern Idaho this afternoon;
however most of the organized precipitation looks to occur later this
evening. Skies are expected to be mostly
sunny all day with mostly cloudy skies from Lewiston east to Kamiah and north
to the Canadian border. Surface wind
speeds will be between 8-12 mph with south-southwest flow in the Southwest SMA
outside of the Treasure Valley while wind speeds are much stronger across the
rest of southern Idaho with sustained speeds from 10-25 mph and gusts to 30 mph
with spots along the Lost River Range reaching 35-40 mph. Mixing heights are forecast to be between 3,000-8,000
feet AGL. Transport wind speed is
forecast to be in the range of 10-30 mph.
Transport wind direction is forecast to be south-southwest. Northern Idaho is forecast to have a slightly
more zonal component today with speeds from 8-12 mph this afternoon.
Smoke impacts today will be focused on late afternoon transport
of the King Fire in California into southwest Idaho. Widespread light smoke looks to cover Idaho
ranging west of a line running from Mountain Home to Missoula and into
Canada. Finally, smoke within the
Clearwater drainage is forecast to linger today before pushing to the northeast
late this afternoon/evening.
DEQ has installed a monitor in Riggins. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx
DEQ has installed a monitor in Lowell. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx
DEQ has installed a monitor in Riggins. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx
DEQ has installed a monitor in Lowell. http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx
o Riggins
monitor is #1001
o Lowell
monitor is #1002
View real time smoke monitoring at: http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires
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
|
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Air Quality Advisory Lifted for the Nez Perce Reservation
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Description of Air Quality Event:
Air quality has improved throughout the Nez Perce Reservation. The Air Quality Advisory is lifted. Although air quality conditions have improved, wildfire smoke may continue to move in and out of the area. Some areas may be more impacted than others, so please take appropriate precautions.
Affected Areas:
All areas on the Nez Perce Reservation.
AQI Category:
Air quality is in the “Good” category of the Air Quality Index.
Restrictions:
No restrictions.
| AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION | |
| Air Quality Category | Health Advisory |
| Good | None. |
| Moderate | Sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. |
| Unhealthy for | 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 | 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
09/23/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast
Updated
1000am MDT Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Valid
through Noon MDT Thursday, September 25, 2014
Smoke
Outlook
The areas of concern today will be focused on the Clearwater
Drainage as well as the Lower Snake River Plain late this afternoon. The Idaho Panhandle north of I-90 may also
see some haze this evening. It should be
noted that widespread haze and light smoke loft is forecast across all of
Idaho. Smoke impacts were relatively
local yesterday as all of DEQ’s monitors were in the Good category for the 24hr
AQI except for Lewiston, Grangeville, Kendrick, and St. Maries. The temporary monitor in Riggins was also in
the Moderate category while the temporary monitor in Lowell was in the Very
Unhealthy category.
A southwest flow sets up over Idaho as an upper level ridge develops
over the Great Basin this afternoon.
This will mark the start of a period defined by dry weather and warm
temperatures. This pattern is likely to
persist through Thursday morning when a quasi-stationary upper level trough
begins to track east across northern Idaho.
This trough will split from the jet stream on Friday, allowing an upper
level closed low to settle over California.
Skies are expected to be mostly cloudy in the Southwest and partly to
mostly sunny across the rest of Idaho.
Any precipitation will be limited to the McCall area and the Central
Idaho Mountains with light rain very early this morning/late last night. Surface wind speeds are forecast to be
between 5-10 mph and 10-15 mph across the Central Idaho Mountains with
southeast flow across the Lower Snake and south-southwest winds across southern
Idaho while northern Idaho has a slightly more zonal component resulting in a
west-southwest surface wind once the inversions lift. Mixing heights are forecast to be between
3,000-7,500 feet AGL. Transport wind
speed is forecast to be in the range of 10-15 mph. Transport wind direction is forecast to be
south-southwest.
Smoke impacts today will be focused on late afternoon transport
of the King Fire in California into southwest Idaho. North of I-90 will also experience some smoke
and haze all the way north to the border, particularly in the Purcell
Trench. Also likely will be nocturnal
drainage of smoke across the lower elevation points in the Clearwater Basin.
o Riggins monitor is Idaho1001
o Lowell monitor is Idaho1002
View real
time smoke monitoring at: http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires
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
|
Idaho DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Caution is Lifted
| DEQ is Date/Time Issued: Next Update: No further updates | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Health Impacts and Recommended Actions | |||||||||||||||||||||
| When air quality is | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outdoor Burning Restrictions | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Currently there are no outdoor burning restrictions. Open burning is allowed in accordance with the Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.600-624). | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Contact | |||||||||||||||||||||
| For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Air Quality Index (AQI): | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
For more information on the AQI, read EPA’s AQI brochure at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.
* Sensitive groups for particulate matter include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children. Sensitive groups for ozone include those with lung disease, older adults, and children.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Idaho DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Caution
| DEQ is Date/Time Issued: Next Update: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Health Impacts and Recommended Actions | |||||||||||||||||||||
| When air quality is | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outdoor Burning Restrictions | |||||||||||||||||||||
| All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality Rules for the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550). | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Contact | |||||||||||||||||||||
| For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Air Quality Index (AQI): | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
For more information on the AQI, read EPA’s AQI brochure at http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.
* Sensitive groups for particulate matter include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children. Sensitive groups for ozone include those with lung disease, older adults, and children.
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