DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Caution

DEQ is issuing an  Air Quality Forecast & Caution Date/Time Issued: Thursday, August 14, 2014/10:00 a.m. Next Update: Friday, August 15, 2014/10:00 a.m.

Due to smoke from regional wildfire activity, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an Air Quality Forecast and Caution to notify residents of the following areas (off the Nez Perce Tribal Reservation) in Latah, Nez Perce, Idaho, Lewis, Clearwater Counties of degraded air quality.  Air quality is currently in the MODERATE category and is forecast to remain in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category over the next few days.  Areas south  of Lewiston are experiencing greater smoke impacts and air quality may become elevated depending on fire activity.  Smoke will settle into the drainages again this evening and may be present until the morning inversions lifts.  Thunderstorms are possible again today which could result in additional fires.  The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is moderate, air quality is acceptable;  however, people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience health impacts and should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

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 Lewiston at (208) 799-4370. For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov. For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

Range Category Meaning 0 to 50 Good Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk 51 to 100 Moderate Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. 101 to 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. 151 to 200 Unhealthy Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. 201 to 300 Very Unhealthy Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected. 301 to 500 Hazardous Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

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.