07/29/2016 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 8 am MDT Thursday, July 29, 2016

Valid through Noon MDT Saturday, July 30, 2016

Smoke Outlook

Air quality is forecast to remain in the Good to Moderate air quality category across the state and air quality has continued to improve.  Minor impacts are near the Pioneer Fire outside Idaho City where current monitor readings are elevated into the Moderate category.  Additional impacts are being recorded east in the Ketchum area which is also currently reading in the Moderate category.  Expect higher readings in the evening and early morning before improving during the day.

Expect west-northwest advection of mid and upper levels once again today before unstable air and monsoon moisture enter the southern Idaho by Saturday.  Mixing heights are expected to reach 8,000-10,000 feet AGL today with good ventilation across all airsheds.  Winds will follow the Snake River Plain and be from the northwest-west-southwest from west to east at 10-15 mph.  Outside of that area, expect surface winds to be from the northwest-west at 5-10 mph in the Central Idaho Mountains and 10-15 mph across the Southern and Southeast Highlands.  Transport winds will be from the northwest at 10-15 mph.  Locally, the Salmon area will experience winds from the northeast at 2-8 mph.

Tonight, surface level smoke will drain down into the Snake River Plain in and around the Arco Desert region before dispersing through the Middle and Upper Snake.  Impacts are expected to be minimal, again most likely affecting Ketchum and Salmon as well as Pocatello and Idaho Falls to lesser degrees.

This will be the last update unless conditions deteriorate.

Air Quality Advisories:

·         None at this time

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.  Visit the Idaho Smoke Blog for more information at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/

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

How to estimate air quality based on visibility for areas without an air quality monitor or airport visibility estimate:

a. Face away from the sun.

b. Determine the limit of your visible range by looking for targets at known distances (miles).

c. Visible range is when an object you can easily see in the distance disappears.

d. Use the visibility values above to determine the local wildfire smoke category.