Fires still burning but no significant impacts expected

Yesterday's 24 hr AQI data indicated air quality in the GOOD category across most of Idaho with parts of the Treasure Valley reaching the MODERATE category. Idaho is forecast to be in the GOOD category today and tomorrow.

There are no significant smoke impacts expected today however the fires burning in southern and central Idaho will contribute to upper level smoke. There should be ample clearing with no impacts expected at the surface.

A smoke plume is evident in eastern Oregon approaching Idaho. 

GIF Source: GOES-16 Visible Imagery valid at 1400 MDT 28 August 2019.  

Another day with no significant impacts

We're about to close out August with some more GOOD air quality across the state. Idaho is expected to stay in the GOOD category today and tomorrow. There are no significant smoke impacts expected though there will be upper level smoke present across southern and central Idaho due to fires in the Central Idaho Mountains and Oregon. There should be ample clearing with no impacts expected at the surface.

Smoke plumes are evident in the Central Idaho Mountains and Oregon approaching Idaho.

GIF Source: GOES-16 Visible Imagery valid at 1500 MDT 27 August 2019

Some smoke, a bit of haze

Idaho is still in the GOOD air quality category and forecast to stay that way today and tomorrow. There are no significant smoke impacts expected today; however, some upper level smoke will be present across southern Idaho. In the GIF below you can see the four smoke plumes in Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho and Oregon contributing to that upper level smoke. Conditions through Wednesday are expected to degrade a bit more each day with afternoon clearing. Hazy conditions are possible Tuesday and Wednesday across southwest Idaho.

GIF Source: GOES-16 Visible Imagery valid at 1500 MDT 25 August 2019.  

Windy weekend will limit smoke

Look at that! No significant smoke impacts are expected today or over the weekend. Strong surface winds Saturday and Sunday will limit any accumulation of surface smoke. That's not something you hear often in August around here. At least not for the last couple of years.

Yesterday's 24 hr AQI data indicated GOOD air quality across Idaho and is forecast to stay in the GOOD category today and tomorrow.

NOAA NRRR-SMOKE Vertically Integrated Smoke forecast valid at 0500 MDT 23 August 2019

Intermittent Lofted Smoke Clearing Early

Yesterday's 24 hr AQI data put Idaho in the GOOD category and is expected to stay that way today and tomorrow.

There are no significant smoke impacts from wildfire expected today though there could be intermittent periods of lofted smoke in the morning across southern Idaho today along the OR/ID border but it is expected to clear this afternoon and is not expected to reach the surface. Some models are showing moderate smoke coming from the Granite Gulch fire in Oregon but so far, this hasn't been observed to occur.

Data source: NOAA HRRR-Smoke vertically integrated smoke forecast valid at 0500 AM MDT August 21, 2019.

Clear again

AQI data put Idaho in the GOOD category yesterday and is expected to continue today and tomorrow. There a no significant smoke impacts from wildfires expected either. There may be some light lofted smoke near the OR/ID border but it is expected to clear this afternoon and not reach the surface.

GIF Source: NOAA HRRR-Smoke Vertically Integrated Smoke Forecast valid at 0500 AM MDT August 20, 2019

No significant smoke impacts expected today!

Data source: NOAA HRRR-Smoke vertically integrated smoke forecast valid at 0500 AM MDT August 19, 2019.

Air quality across the state has been in the GOOD category and is expected to stay there today and tomorrow. No significant smoke impacts are expected today though there may be some periods of lofted smoke in the morning across southern Idaho today but is expected to clear by this afternoon.

Still clear!

An elevated smoke plume from a central Nevada fire is visible over the Idaho-Utah border as it makes its way rapidly eastward.

Source: GOES-West GeoColor imagery from 8:56 AM MDT August 14, 2019.

Air quality is in the GOOD category all around and is forecast to stay that way today and tomorrow. No significant smoke impacts expected today. 

Clear skies today!

No significant smoke impacts are expected today. Air quality was in the GOOD category yesterday and expected to stay there today and tomorrow!

Data Source: GOES-17 Imagery at 8:00 AM MDT August 13, 2019.

Hurray! A clear day!

NOAA-HRRR Smoke:  Forecast vertically integrated smoke valid at 0500, August 12^th (MDT).  

Happy Monday! The skies are looking clearer! 

24hr AQI data indicate air quality in the GOOD across the state are forecast to stay that way today and tomorrow. Smoke impacts today will be minimal with light, lofted smoke possible from time to time over the northern Panhandle and long the southern Idaho border with Nevada and Utah.

North Idaho Air Quality Notice LIfted

The Coeur d'Alene Reginal Office of DEQ has lifted the air quality notice for the residents of Beneway, Bonner, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.

Click this link to see the full notice: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/media/60183245/aq-notice-892019-cda.pdf

Still smoky up north!

Data source: NOAA-HRRR Smoke:  Forecast vertically integrated smoke valid at 0600, August 9^th (MDT).   

Once again, 24hr AQI data indicated air quality in the GOOD category with MODERATE air quality over the southern Panhandle and McCall. Air quality forecasts across the state are in the GOOD category today and tomorrow while the southern Panhandle and McCall are forecast to be in the MODERATE category today.

Folks in the Panhandle will experience moderate to heavy smoke today. Intermittent light to moderate smoke may be present over central Idaho and portions of southwestern Idaho. Conditions over the state will improve this afternoon and tomorrow. The weather through the weekend looks favorable for clearing the atmosphere across the state.

Heavier smoke today in the north

Data source: NOAA-HRRR Smoke:  Forecast vertically integrated smoke valid at 0700, August 8^th (MDT).

Air quality was in the GOOD category yesterday with MODERATE air quality over the southern Panhandle and some pockets in central Idaho and Twin Falls. Today and tomorrow are forecast to be in the GOOD category except for the southern Panhandle and Twin Falls where it should be in the MODERATE category.

Weather conditions will begin to change today and bring more active weather to the region. There will still be smoke impacts today with light smoke over south-central Idaho along the NV/UT border and eastern Idaho while moderate to heavy smoke will be located over the Panhandle and portions of central Idaho. Things may get a little better over the Panhandle this afternoon before deteriorating again late this evening and into tomorrow. The Purcell Trench from Spokane to Sandpoint will be the area most heavily affected today. Those fires along the NV/UT border will contribute to some higher readings early today in the Magic Valley before dissipating when some precipitation and strong winds come in. The weather looks promising tomorrow to scour the atmosphere across the state and push some of this smoke out.

Poor air quality continues in North Idaho

The Coeur d'Alene regional office of the Department of Environmental Quality is continuing their Air Quality Notice for the residents of Benewah, Bonner, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.

Click this link to see the full notice: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/media/60183234/aq-notice-882019-cda.pdf

August Fire Potential

Take a look at the most recent fire potential forecast put out by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). So far this summer, activity has remained at "normal" as predicted. Now, NIFC reports that across the state of Idaho, we can expect "normal" wildfire potential for August. However, our neighbors in Oregon, Washington and Nevada are expecting "above normal" fire potential which could mean smoke being transported over Idaho.

Be proactive! If you are a member of a sensitive group (elderly, children, pregnant people, those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions), now's the time to click over to our "Smoke and Health" page, check out some links if you haven't already and contact your healthcare provider to work out a plan for when the smoke hits.

Another day of smoky skies in the north

We're still mostly in the GOOD and MODERATE air quality categories across the state while Twin Falls has seen some time in the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS category this morning. Forecasts for today and tomorrow have some of the state staying in the GOOD category while the Treasure Valley, McCall, central Idaho (along the western border with Oregon and Washington), and the southern Panhandle are forecast to be in the MODERATE category today and tomorrow.

Not much has changed smoke-wise. We still expect to see some lingering smoke due to light winds with smoke impacts evident over the southern Panhandle, central Idaho, south-central Idaho along the NV/UT border, and into the Treasure Valley. The Spokane-Coeur d'Alene corridor and the southern Panhandle will see higher concentrations, as well as the northern Panhandle and down into the Palouse. Some fires burning near the ID/NV border and a new fire near Mountain Home will contribute to some higher readings this morning in the Magic Valley. And of course, smoke near the surface may get trapped overnight and increase in concentration before mixing out the next morning.

Data source: NOAA-HRRR Smoke:  Forecast near-surface smoke valid at 0500, August 7th (MDT).   

Air Quality Notice Issued

An Air Quality Notice has been issued from the DEQ Coeur d'Alene Regional Office. It notifies the residents of Benewah, Bonner, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties of degraded air quality.

Click this link to see the full notice: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/media/60183229/aq-notice-862019-cda.pdf

Smoky up north

Smoke is starting to stick around and yesterday we saw some MODERATE to UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS AQI data in central Idaho and the Panhandle. Forecasts across the state are in the GOOD category today and tomorrow while the Treasure Valley and McCall areas are forecast to be in the MODERATE category today and tomorrow.

Light winds will continue to keep smoke in the region and allow it to linger. Light smoke will be aloft over central Idaho, south-central Idaho along the NV/UT border, and into the Treasure Valley. Concentrations look to be higher over the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene corridor and southern Panhandle today. These concentrations will also fan out north into the Panhandle as well as south across the Palouse and over the Weippe Prairie. Smoke near the surface after sunset may be trapped and increase in concentration before moving out the next morning.

NOAA-HRRR Smoke:  Forecast near-surface smoke valid at 0700, August 6^th (MDT).  

Light smoke over parts of Idaho today

Welcome back from what was hopefully a relaxing weekend. Over the weekend a couple more fires popped up around the Northwest that are impacting Idaho's air quality. Light winds are forecast today which will keep smoke in the region and let it linger. Smoke impacts today will be evident with light smoke aloft transported from Washington and Oregon into the Treasure Valley and north. Concentrations look to be higher over central Idaho and along the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene corridor tonight into Tuesday. Smoke near the surface after sunset may be trapped and increase in concentration overnight before dispersing the next morning.

Overall, air quality is forecast to be in the GOOD category today and tomorrow except for the Treasure Valley and St. Marie's where it is forecast to be in the MODERATE category today and tomorrow.

Data source: USFS BlueSky: Forecast near-surface smoke valid at 0400, August 5th (MDT).

More of the same, limited impacts

Yesterday's 24hr AQI data indicated air quality in the GOOD category through the state except for Lewiston, which reached the MODERATE category. Air quality forecasts across the state are in the GOOD category today and tomorrow while the Treasure Valley is forecast to be in the MODERATE category today and tomorrow.

Consistent and similar weather patterns mean that smoke will behave today as it has for much of this past week. Smoke impacts today will be limited to the light smoke aloft that Oregon and Washington's fires will transport into the Treasure Valley and Idaho County and north.

Data Source: USFS BlueSky: Forecast near-surface smoke valid at midnight, August 2nd (MDT).