08/09/2016 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 10am MDT Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Valid through Noon MDT Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Smoke Outlook

Air quality is forecast to continue to remain in the Good to Moderate air quality category across the state today.  All DEQ monitors are currently reading in the GOOD category this morning.

Today, an upper level lower pressure system will approach from the west and is expected to bring thunderstorms and showers across northern and central Idaho today.  Showers and lightning strikes have been observed across eastern Idaho County and Clearwater County.  Wind speeds will be in the 5-15 mph range from the southwest with northwest winds across the Treasure Valley, northern Magic Valley, LC Valley, and Camas Prairie.  Gusts across the Upper Snake and Mud Lake area will range from 30-45 mph this afternoon.  Tomorrow will see a clearing and warming trend as the upper level low pressure system exits Idaho and settles over central Montana.  Wind directions over northern Idaho will be generally will be from the west-southwest.  Wind speeds at the surface will range from 10-15 mph in southern Idaho and 5-10 mph in northern Idaho. 

Smoke impacts today are expected to be more localized with continued cooler temperatures.  Brief periods of heavy, localized smoke should be expected in the morning, particularly across Boise and Custer Counties, before the inversion lifts around 11am today.  The regions that should expect to see smoke this evening include the southern extent of the Lower Treasure Valley from fires burning in eastern Oregon, while Custer County and Lemhi County will see smoke aloft from the Pioneer Fire.  This evening will see nocturnal drainage down the Boise-Mores, Big Lost, and Little Lost drainages into the Lower and Upper Snake River Plain, respectively.  Tomorrow, a westerly transport will limit impacts to the Salmon region and transport the smoke south of that region over the Stanley area.

DEQ Air Quality Forecast and Cautions:

• The Idaho Falls Regional Office has extended a Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and Caution for Custer County. Valid through Tuesday, August 9^th at 10:00 a.m.
• The Boise Regional Office has extended a Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and Caution for Boise County. Valid through Tuesday, August 9^th at 3:00 p.m.

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/

The USFS installed monitors near Stanley, Idaho and Lowman, Idaho.  Idaho DEQ has installed temporary monitors in Fairfield and Boise (Garden City), Idaho. The information can be found at http://smoke.airfire.org/monitoringReport/#/?date=LATEST&productType=plotTable.

·         Stanley, ID monitor is Stanley-Idaho 75

·         Lowman, ID monitor is Lowman-Jolene Drive

·         Fairfield, ID monitor is Fairfield-Soldier Road

·         Boise, ID monitor is Garden City-Alworth Street

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.