09/22/2014 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 1000am MDT Monday, September 22, 2014

Valid through Noon MDT Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Smoke Outlook

The areas of concern today will be focused on the Clearwater Drainage as well as the Salmon-Challis region of the state this evening.   It should be noted that widespread haze and light smoke is forecast across Idaho running north of a line running from McCall to Salmon with some drainage into the Lower Treasure Valley this evening.  Smoke impacts were relatively local on Sunday as the Lewiston DEQ Office saw all of its monitors in the Moderate category while the other DEQ monitors were in the Good category.

An upper level low pressure system is currently located over southeast Idaho and will track to the east today.  This system will bring widespread light showers across southern Idaho while allowing for cloudy skies and higher minimum relative humidity levels across all of Idaho.  Mixing heights are low across the state, ranging from 1,000-4,000 feet AGL this afternoon.  Winds look to be light, ranging from 5-10 mph at the surface.  The wind direction is forecast to be from the southeast across the Southwest SMA with east-southeast winds across the Middle Snake River Plain and southwest winds across the rest of southern Idaho.  Northern Idaho is forecast to have a more zonal flow, with slight southwest flow north of a line running from Lewiston to Missoula while the extreme northern Panhandle is forecast to experience southerly winds.

Smoke impacts today will continue to be strongest in the Palouse once again due to the proximity of the Johnson Bar Fire.  Westerly winds should alleviate some of the impacts as well as prevent any transport from fires in California.

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