What is air quality like in Idaho right now?
IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
· Idaho Temporary Monitors (deployed as needed during major smoke incidents only): https://airsis.com/usfs/
NEZ PERCE TRIBE
· Permanent, real-time air quality monitors on the Nez Perce Reservation: http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/
· Temporary real-time air quality monitors (deployed August-October, and as needed) http://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap
SHOSHONE-BANNOCK TRIBE
· Permanent, real-time air quality monitors on the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation
COEUR D’ALENE TRIBE
KOOTENAI TRIBE OF IDAHO
FEDERAL TEMPORARY MONITORS
· Federal temporary smoke monitors (deployed as needed during major smoke incidents only): http://smoke.airfire.org/monitoringReport/#/?date=LATEST&productType=plotTable
US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
· AIRNow: http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=13&mapcenter=0&tabs=0
- Air Visual Data Map http://www.epa.gov/airdata/ad_viz.html
- Air Data Map http://www.epa.gov/airdata/ad_maps.html
- Air Visual Data Map http://www.epa.gov/airdata/ad_viz.html
- Air Data Map http://www.epa.gov/airdata/ad_maps.html
NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
OTHER
Not good here in Garden Valley.
ReplyDeleteHorseshoe Bend is quite smokey as well. I'm gonna base my air quality on Garden Valley and consider us similar??
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment concerning air quality and current wildfire smoke impacts. In response to your questions of using the Garden Valley monitor as a reference point for Horseshoe Bend I would say that will work as a general reference with a couple cautions.
ReplyDeleteThe impacts we have monitored at the Garden Valley site have been more localized impacts from the Pioneer fire near Idaho City. The smoke has been moving down the highway corridor directly into the town, especially during the later afternoon, evening and early morning hours. Although the Horseshoe Bend area has also been experiencing smoke impacts, based on forecast and modeling information, as well as eye witness visibility accounts, the smoke impacts in Horseshoe Bend have not been as significant as Garden Valley. It would be fair to use the Garden Valley information as a conservative comparison understanding the air quality in Horseshoe Bend, overall, is experiencing lower concentrations.
The following is a link to DEQ’s wildfire information webpage which may be helpful to you: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/current-wildfire-smoke-info/
About halfway down the webpage you will find a section titled Visual Smoke Observation. This is a method used to help determine air quality impacts based on visibility. The is a colored chart and instructions on determining air quality conditions based on visibility. This may also be helpful.
I hope this information is useful and answers your questions. Please feel free to contact the Boise Regional Office with any additional questions or concerns.
Best Regards
Boise Regional Office
Phone: (208) 373-0550
Fax: (208) 373-0287
I was camping at Sagehen last night and awoke to a very smokey morning. It was still smokey when I left this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteAs of 240 on 23 Aug, the Stanley monitoring station is not on the "real time" map: http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/
ReplyDeleteWhat is the status of the station?
Good morning,
ReplyDeleteThe DEQ real-time map provides information on the permanent DEQ monitors. The Stanley monitor is currently being operated on a temporary basis by the USFS. That information can be found here: http://smoke.airfire.org/monitoringReport/#/?date=LATEST&productType=plotTable
The monitor is currently running and in the GREEN AQI category for the last hourly observation.
Challis very smokey last night, better today. We will see what the afternoon winds bring.
ReplyDeleteTERRIBLE IN GARDEN VALLEY, 8-28-16 @ 1:30PM
ReplyDeleteGarden Valley terrible, 8-28-16 @ 1:30pm
ReplyDeleteAny info on the Boiling Springs Cabin site? We are scheduled to stay there next week and I am concerned it will be too smokey. We have a baby and I worry about how it will affect her.
ReplyDeleteGood morning,
ReplyDeleteBoiling Springs Cabin site will likely see smoke this week as a southerly wind component will transport smoke to the north. Next week's smoke impacts will depend heavily on wind conditions and fire activity. The associated weather is expected to turn westerly which would typically move smoke away from that area. As with all weather forecasts, this information can change as we move closer towards next week. Due to this, wildfire impacts and activity can change quickly and frequently. Any health concerns should be addressed to your physician.
I see per the report that Idaho City is listed as good air quality. Going into Labor Day weekend will this still be the case as we are looking at Ten Mile for our camping, North of Idaho City? Thank you for any response
ReplyDeleteGood Morning,
ReplyDeleteThe Tenmile campground should expect to see intermittent periods of smoke due to the proximity of the Pioneer Fire even if the overall AQI reads good. Current weather forecasts indicate that during the day, smoke will move away from that area and to the northeast while in the evenings, smoke will drain down the valleys and low spots into the Upper Treasure Valley. Expect to see higher smoke levels during the evening and early morning hours.