Haze and Smoke Today, More Smoke On The Way!

Smoke impacts today are expected to remain over southwest Idaho due to both local and regional fires. Consistent, higher monitor readings should be expected to continue in the vicinity of the Rattlesnake Creek Fire and Riggins during the morning and evening while clearing is expected during the afternoon. Expect higher pollutant levels over the Lower Treasure Valley in the morning before pushing off to the west in the afternoon. There will be widespread haze throughout the day, particularly over eastern Idaho and the Panhandle. This evening, expect smoke to drain into the Treasure Valley and Middle Snake River Plain. Tomorrow, a southwesterly wind will bring in smoke aloft across most of Idaho.

This image shows smoke from the west and south moving into southwestern Idaho. Data Source-SSEC University of Wisconsin MODIS Visible Satellite imagery valid 07/30/2018.

Expect widespread haze throughout the day over most of Idaho. Higher monitor readings in some areas.

Smoke impacts today are expected to remain over southwest Idaho due to both local and regional fires. Consistent, higher monitor readings should be expected in the vicinity of the Rattlesnake Creek Fire and Riggins during the morning and evening while clearing is expected during the afternoon. There will be widespread haze throughout the day, particularly over southern Idaho and the southern Panhandle. This evening, expect smoke to drain into the Treasure Valley and Middle Snake River Plain. Tomorrow, a shift to easterly winds will provide some clearing to the southern airsheds, but may advect smoke from the south and east into the Middle and Lower Snake River Plain. Expect continued haze across northern Idaho.

This model image is indicating higher concentrations over the southwest with locally heavy impacts over the southern Panhandle. Data source: Bluesky model utilizing 00z 4km NWRMC weather data Daily maximum PM2.5 forecast concentrations for 07/30/2018 across the Pacific Northwest.

Expect similar smoke and weather conditions today to continue through the weekend

Smoke impacts Friday 7/27 are expected to remain over southwest Idaho due to both local and regional fires. Consistent, higher monitor readings should be expected in the vicinity of the Rattlesnake Creek Fire and Riggins. There will be widespread haze throughout the day, particularly over southern Idaho. This evening and into Saturday, drainage smoke will travel south into the Treasure Valley from the Riggins area. On Saturday 7/28 smoke from western Oregon looks to make it into southern Idaho with locally-driven impacts within the Salmon River drainage and south within the Snake River and Weiser drainages Saturday evening into Sunday. Expect similar conditions Sunday 7/29 with morning smoke impacts in the southwestern valleys and the Salmon River drainage before lifting in the afternoon. Conditions in areas north of Lewiston to the Canadian border may see minor smoke impacts in isolated areas but will likely remain smoke-free through of the weekend.

This image is suggesting smoke impacts to be greatest along the HWY95 corridor from Riggins south into the Treasure Valley. Data source: NOAA NDGD: Forecast Graphic 1 Hour surface smoke concentrations (valid at 12noon MDT 07/27/18 and initialized at 18z 07/27/18)

Smoke impacts are expected to shift slightly with the shifting wind pattern.

Expect impacts to be primarily from fires within Idaho with fires in BC and Oregon contributing as well. Widespread smoke overhead is expected to range across the Central Idaho Mountains with some smoke moving into the Snake River Plain as well. Continue to expect smoke aloft to generate hazy conditions throughout much of Idaho. The Rattlesnake Creek fire outside of Pollock along with fires near Cascade and Banks will likely impact areas from Riggins to Garden Valley, Weiser to Boise during the late morning hours and evening. Twin Fall could also expect some impacts from the Bruneau fire.

This image indicates a vertical profile of smoke which will likely create hazy conditions throughout much of southern Idaho and the Panhandle. Higher concentrations of smoke near the surface is suggested from Riggins to Weiser with possible impacts in Boise. Data source: NOAA NDGD: Forecast Graphic 1 Hour average vertical smoke integration (07/26/2018 (12pm MDT)

Limited increased smoke is expected across the entire state today with higher impacts in south-central Idaho.

Smoke impacts today are expected in and around Garden Valley and in the vicinity of McCall due to the proximity of the Rattlesnake Creek Fire. Expect occasional patchy or hazy smoke over southern Idaho from fires burning to the west in Oregon. The northern Panhandle may see light smoke and haze from fires burning in southern British Columbia, Canada. 

This image indicates smoke near the surface that is forecast to occur around noon on Wednesday. Limited increased smoke is expected across the entire state with higher impacts in south-central Idaho. Data source: NOAA Model: HRRR-Smoke: Near surface Smoke Forecast for 1800 UTC 07/25/2018 (12pm MDT)

Smoke impacts today are expected to be similar to yesterday in most areas.

Smoke impacts today are expected to be similar to yesterday in most areas. Local fires in the vicinity of Garden Valley and just recently near Pollock will likely impact campers or residents in those areas during overnight and morning hours. Expect occasional patchy or hazy smoke overhead over southern Idaho areas from a number of fires burning to the west in Oregon. The northern Panhandle may also see smoke overhead from fires burning in southern British Columbia, Canada.

Generally dry conditions are expected however, monsoon moisture could track into the southern portion of the state and provide for a slight chance of thunderstorms over the southern Highlands. This will be the primary weather pattern into the end of the week.

This model is suggesting that impacts are expected to be widespread and aloft over southern Idaho and into central Idaho while northern Idaho and eastern Idaho should see generally clear conditions.

Data source: NOAA Model: HRRR-Smoke: Vertically integrated smoke concentrations forecast at 2100 UTC 07/24/18 (3pm MDT)

Mostly Good air quality today. Some impacts likely around Garden Valley near the Lodgepole fire

Smoke impacts today are expected to be confined to local fires in the vicinity of Garden Valley. Expect occasional patchy or hazy smoke conditions over southern Idaho areas from fires burning to the west in Oregon. The northern Panhandle may see smoke passing overhead from fires burning in southern British Columbia, Canada.

Air quality is forecast to remain in the Good category on a 24hr average across the entire state, except for the Treasure Valley which is forecast to reach the Moderate category for ozone.

Interested in more detailed air quality information for your area? Consider visiting current wildfire smoke info or daily reports and forecasts

This model is suggesting that impacts are expected to be widespread but remain aloft over southern Idaho while northern Idaho should see generally clear conditions. Data source: NOAA Model: NDGD

Air quality expected to deteriorate through the weekend

Smoke impacts today will expand today due to fires burning across Oregon, Washington, western Montana, and southern British Columbia, Canada.  Expect impacts at the surface to be light, as most of the smoke is being transported into the region from fires burning in the west.  The Spokane-Coeur d’Alene corridor into Idaho should expect to see both surface smoke and smoke aloft today.  Local impacts should be expected in the vicinity of Garden Valley and Salmon due to the proximity of fires actively burning.  Due to the prevalent weather pattern, impacts in those communities will be strongest in the morning and after sunset.  The Treasure Valley should expect impacts due to drainage tonight both from fires in Oregon, and the Lodgepole fire in Idaho as well as smoke being transported into the region from regional fires.  Due to the weather change today and tomorrow, it is expected that regional transport smoke will increase over southwest Idaho.  Coverage on Saturday expands aloft to encompass all of southern Idaho with heavier values over south-central and southeast Idaho with some reprieve over central Idaho with a narrow band of smoke running from Spokane to Bonner’s Ferry. Fire activity is expected to increase due to the warm temperatures and increased wind speeds at the surface.  Locally heavy impacts in the morning and late evening hours should be expected across the Panhandle, the Clearwater drainage, southwest Idaho, and in the vicinity of Salmon and Garden Valley.  Later in the weekend, conditions are expected to deteriorate across eastern and southeast Idaho to some degree.

HRRR-Smoke Vertically integrated smoke concentrations forecast at 21200 UTC 07/21/18 (6am MDT).  This model is suggesting that impacts are expected to be widespread over southern Idaho while northern Idaho should see a short reprieve.

Data source:NOAA Model: HRRR-smoke (Experimental)

Improvement in air quality today in some areas more smoke in others

As fires build up and get suppressed and wind changes direction or calms expect shifting air quality conditions. Below are a couple examples of air quality data estimations from yesterday today and for the past week.

Message from Public Health-Idaho North Central District

This press release was just submitted by Public Health-Idaho North Central District

Smoke is expected to increase over the coming days

Smoke impacts today are anticipated to expand. Expect impacts at the surface to be light, as most of the smoke is being transported into the region from fires burning in central California, Oregon, and Washington. Moscow and the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene corridor into Idaho should expect to see both surface smoke and smoke aloft today. Local impacts on a shorter duration should be expected in the vicinity of Garden Valley, the Northern Magic Valley, and Owyhee County due to local fires in those areas. The AQI forecasts are expected to remain elevated for those regions.

The image below shows the 07/17/2018 Wildfire smoke satellite analysis. It is possible to see several new hotspot detects and increased coverage in smoke across the Pacific Northwest. Data source: NOAA Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product

Expect an increase in smoke impacts in areas near active fires in the coming days

Due to the high pressure system at the surface and limited horizontal movement of air expect an increase in smoke production from any active fires and the accompanying increase in smoke impacts at the surface near these fires during the overnight hours over the coming days. AQI forecasts are expected to be elevated slightly due to activity in those areas while remaining in the Good category in most other areas around the state.

Expect any smoke impacts today to be light or of short duration.

Smoke impacts today will be across southwest Idaho and north to around the 44^th parallel. Expect impacts at the surface to be light, as most of the smoke is being transported into the region from fires burning in central California and Nevada. This will provide for decreased visibility aloft. Local impacts on a shorter duration should be expected in the vicinity of Garden Valley as well as the Northern Magic Valley due to local fires in those areas. AQI forecasts are not expected to be affected on a 24hr level in those spots, but be aware of short temporal impacts.

This image shows possible smoke being advected from central California and Nevada and into southwestern Idaho. A locally high concentration in the vicinity of Garden Valley is suggested.

Data source:NOAA Model: HRRR-smoke (Experimental)

Smoke Outlook through Monday

Barring the start of any major fires near Idaho this weekend it looks like we will get mostly Good air quality into Monday.

Dry, northwest flow will usher in warm temperatures and benign weather for Friday across all Idaho airsheds. Due to the zonal flow pattern, expect similar conditions throughout the weekend with a slight chance for isolated thunderstorms to develop in the afternoons and evenings of Saturday, Sunday, and Monday over the Central Idaho Mountains and along the Eastern Highlands and Southern Highlands south of Twin Falls, ID. 

On Sunday, winds will slacken slightly and range from 2-8 mph across the state and be from the west, again with northwest to southwest deviations from west to east. Wind speeds and directions will be similar on Monday.

Air quality remained Good throughout the northwest yesterday

Air quality remained Good throughout much of the Northwest yesterday (Source USFS Airfire) Air quality is forecast to remain in the Good category on a 24hr average across Idaho again today

Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal through today.

Several small fires have been reported in Idaho this week. Fortunately these have remained small and not impacted local air quality with great significance or a long-term event. Unfortunately three fires in Eastern Idaho appear to have been started by target shooting http://www.idahofireinfo.com/. Firefighters are about halfway to containment of the 440,000 acre Martin Fire in Nevada. That’s one to watch for a while as this fire has the potential to impact areas of Southern Idaho. Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal through today.