Stay calm! It's happening (for most of us) -- clearer skies on the horizon

While some light smoke will be present for at times this weekend in North and Central Idaho today, South and East Idaho will stay mostly hazy or clear.

Overnight, smoke and haze will settle into valleys across North and Central Idaho. Saturday, showers and afternoon winds may help improve conditions though light to locally moderate smoke will still be possible in North Idaho through the weekend - mainly near active fires.

By Monday, stronger winds should help clear some of the smoke. However, smoke will continue near active wildfires. The highest AQI levels are expected in North and Central Idaho and near active fires. UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality is possible at times.

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 14 August 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 14 August 2026

Some smoke persists but conditions are improving in south and east Idaho

Today, North and Central Idaho will see the most smoke, especially near active wildfires. South and East Idaho should see improving conditions and mostly light smoke.

Tonight, smoke and haze will settle into valleys and low-lying areas, especially across North and Central Idaho. Conditions should improve Friday afternoon as winds, moisture, and daytime heating help clear the air. However, moderate to heavy smoke may continue in parts of North Idaho.

The highest AQI levels are expected in North Idaho and near active wildfires, where UNHEALTHY air quality is possible. Parts of Central Idaho and the West Central Mountains could see periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality. 

HRRR-NCEP Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 13 August 2026. 

Improving conditions expected tomorrow for southern Idaho

Near-surface smoke will remain widespread in Idaho with moderate to heavy smoke across parts of North and Central Idaho today and lighter smoke across much of South and East Idaho.

Overnight, smoke will settle into valleys and low areas, causing air quality to worsen in parts of North and Central Idaho and the Snake River Plain. Winds and daytime mixing will slowly improve conditions Thursday afternoon, especially across South and East Idaho. Moderate smoke will remain in parts of North and Central Idaho.

The highest AQI levels today are expected in North and Central Idaho and near active wildfires. Periods of UNHEALTHY air quality are possible in these areas. Parts of the West Central Mountains, Lemhi County, and the Snake River Plain could see periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:36 UTC (9:36 a.m. MDT) on 12 August 2026 shows widespread areas of smoke are visible over northeast Washington, parts of Central Oregon, and most of Idaho. Clouds are visible over South and East Idaho.

Coeur d'Alene Tribe Lifts Air Quality Advisory

 

Limited clearing this afternoon

Smoke will remain widespread across Idaho today as wildfires in the Pacific Northwest continue to send smoke into the state. Moderate to heavy smoke will continue across North Idaho and the Snake River Plain, with only limited clearing this afternoon. Overnight, smoke will build in valleys and low areas as temperatures drop, causing air quality to worsen. Conditions should improve Wednesday afternoon as winds help clear the smoke. 

The highest AQI levels are expected in North Idaho and near wildfires, where UNHEALTHY air quality is possible. The western Snake River Plain, West Central Mountains, and Lemhi County may see brief periods of UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS air quality.

RRFS-CONUS Near Surface Smoke initialized 06Z (12 a.m. MDT) 11 August 2026 and valid at 6 p.m. MDT 11 August 2026 shows smoke and haze from Oregon and Washington drifting into Idaho.

Some improvement this morning but smoke still lingering

Near-surface smoke will remain widespread across the state as ongoing wildfire activity across the Pacific Northwest continues to generate and transport smoke eastward. Heavy to moderate smoke will persist across North Idaho and the Snake River Plain today. Overnight, smoke continues to circulate over Idaho, with the highest near-surface concentrations seen across southwestern Idaho and the panhandle of north Idaho. Moderate to light smoke will continue tomorrow as strong westerly winds continue to carry the smoke eastward.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 15:36 UTC (9:36 a.m. MDT) on 10 August 2026 shows widespread areas of smoke are visible over northeast Washington, parts of Central Oregon, and most of Idaho.

A Smoky Start to the Weekend, with Improvement Possible Sunday

Wildfire smoke will remain widespread across Idaho today and Saturday, with moderate to heavy smoke expected in North Idaho and the Snake River Plain. Southwest Idaho and the North Idaho Panhandle may experience periods of particularly heavy smoke, while valleys and other low-lying areas could see worsening air quality overnight as smoke becomes trapped near the surface. Breezier conditions on Sunday should improve smoke dispersion, though winds may continue carrying smoke into Idaho from fires in Oregon and Washington.

NOAA GOES-West GeoColor (true color) visible satellite image captured at 14:51 UTC (8:51 a.m. MDT) on 7 August 2026 shows widespread areas of smoke are visible over Washington, Central Oregon, and most of Idaho.

Smoke Lingers Across the Gem State

Wildfire smoke will remain widespread across Idaho today as smoke from fires across the Pacific Northwest continues to impact air quality.

Moderate to heavy smoke is expected across North Idaho, the Snake River Plain, and portions of southwest Idaho. While breezy afternoon conditions may provide some temporary improvement, smoke and haze will settle back into valleys and low-lying areas overnight as temperature inversions develop. Better mixing is expected Friday afternoon, but widespread smoke is likely to persist.

Stay up to date on current air quality conditions and any Air Quality Advisories by visiting Idaho DEQ's Outdoor Burn and Air Quality Map: https://www2.deq.idaho.gov/air/AQIPublic/Map/OutdoorBurn

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