Air Quality Advisory - Extended

Air Quality Advisory - Extended

 

Date/Time Issued: Friday, August 11, 2017/11:30 a.m.

Expires: Saturday, August 12, 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 UNHEALTHY for SENSITIVE GROUPS to UNHEALTHY categories and is forecast to continue to be degraded through Saturday afternoon. Air quality is forecasted to improve over the weekend as the winds shift to the southwest. 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 will remain in effect throughout North Idaho until further notice. Contact your local fire protection district prior to conducting any outdoor open burning.

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is unhealthy, everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups* may experience more serious effects & should avoid prolonged/heavy exertion & stay indoors. Everyone else should limit prolonged/heavy exertion & limit time outdoors.

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.