Air Quaity Advisory Extended

Air Quality Advisory Extended

 

Date/Time Issued: Monday, August 07, 2017/11:00 a.m.

Next Update: Friday, August 11, 2017/12:00 p.m.

 

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended an Air Quality Advisory to notify residents of Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties of degraded air quality. Due to wildfire smoke from fires in Canada, Montana and the western U.S. air quality has been degraded.  Air quality is currently in the MODERATE to UNHEALTHY for SENSITIVE GROUPS  categories and is forecast to forecast to continue to be degraded through the week. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

 

Woodstove Burning Restrictions

No Restrictions

 

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

Due to the hot dry weather, fire safety restrictions are in effect throughout North Idaho. Contact your local fire protection district prior to conducting any outdoor open burning.

 

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, sensitive persons* may experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. The general public is unlikely to be affected.

 

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Coeur d'Alene at (208) 769-1422.

For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov.

For more information concerning local ordinances contact your local city or county.

 

Air Quality Index (AQI):

 

For more information on the AQI, visit http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf.

For more information about wildfire smoke, visit Idaho’s Smoke Blog at idsmoke.blogspot.com.

* Sensitive groups include those with heart and lung disease, older adults, and children.