Widespread smoke today

Air quality is forecast to range from GOOD to UNHEALTHY across the state today.

Near-surface smoke will remain widespread across the state and moderate smoke will persist across North Idaho and Snake River Plain today. 

Overnight, smoke will settle into valleys and other low-lying areas under strengthening surface-based temperature inversions. As temperatures begin to increase Thursday morning, inversions will begin to break and allow for better circulation across the state. Increased westerly winds by mid-day will also aid smoke dispersion.

RRFS-CONUS Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 5 August 2026. 

Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation

 

No major changes yet - still smoky!

Unfortunately, smoke will remain widespread across the state today.

Moderate to moderately severe smoke will persist across North Idaho and the Snake River Plain today. Overnight, smoke and haze will settle into valleys and other low-lying areas under temperature inversions. As temperatures begin to increase tomorrow morning and inversions  break, we will experience increased circulation.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:31 UTC (9:31 a.m. MDT) on 4 August 2026

Air Quality Advisory and Burn Ban in Effect for Coeur d'Alene Tribe

Air Quality Advisory and Burn Ban in Effect for Kootenai Tribe *corrected

 

EPA Announces an Air Quality Advisory and Ban on Open Burning for the Kootenai Reservation

 

Contact Information: EPA Region 10 Press Office (r10_press_team@epa.gov )

 

Seattle (July 31, 2026) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Kootenai Tribe of Idaho issued an air quality advisory and ban on open burning on the Kootenai Reservation due to increases wildfire smoke from multiple fires in Washington. This advisory and burn ban is effective immediately and will continue until further notice.

 

Smoke from these fires will impact the reservation today and through the weekend and as a result, intermittent periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups and Unhealthy air quality are expected, based on EPA's Air Quality Index. These same conditions may continue into next week. EPA is using agency’s resources to monitor air quality and provide the public with timely access to our data. People should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible. For more health information, visit Wildfire Smoke Readiness and Response for Region 10 Tribes. The agency will do everything in our authority to continue to protect human health and the environment.

 

To check conditions in your area, visit the EPA AirNow website. For a list of current burn bans on Tribal lands, call the EPA Federal Air Rules for Reservations Hotline at 1-800-424-4372, or visit EPA’s FARR website.

 

Smoke expected for several more days; Air Quality Advisories in Effect for much of state and tribes

Near-surface smoke will remain widespread across the state through Friday as ongoing wildfire activity across the Pacific Northwest continues to generate and transport smoke eastward. Moderate to moderately severe smoke will persist across North Idaho and the Snake River Plain today. Overnight, lingering smoke and haze will become trapped beneath  inversions, allowing smoke to settle into valleys and other low-lying areas. As temperatures begin to increase Tuesday morning, inversions will begin to break and allow for better circulation across the state.

Air Quality Advisories are in effect for western portion of the state, as well as several southeastern counties. Check the Outdoor Burn Map to see if your county is affected. 

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:26 UTC (9:26 a.m. MDT) on 3 August 2026 shows widespread areas of smoke are visible over Washington, Central Oregon, and most of Idaho.

Air Quality Advisory Remains in Effect for the Nez Perce Reservation