07/16/2015 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

DEQ has stopped issuing daily smoke forecasts due to reduced wildfire activity and improved air quality throughout the state. Air quality is forecast to remain in the Good air quality category for at least the next couple of days.

To find an air quality forecast for your area, visit the DEQ's Daily Air Quality Reports and Forecasts webpage.

View real time smoke monitoring at:  http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at: http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

To find information on wildfire activity, visit Inciweb

DEQ will start issuing daily smoke forecasts again if wildfire activity increases.

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Refer to the Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog for additional health information. 

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

Stage II Fire Restrictions in North Idaho and Portions of Central Idaho

Wildfire danger is very high in the northern parts of Idaho and Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect on lands within the Payette, Grangeville and Coeur d'Alene Fire Restrictions Areas.

For more information and a detailed map, please visit:
http://idahofireinfo.blogspot.com/2015/07/stage-ii-fire-restrictions-implemented.html

http://idahofireinfo.blogspot.com/p/fire-restrictions.html

07/10/15 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 12 Noon MDT Friday, July 10, 2015

Valid through Noon MDT Monday, July 13, 2015

Smoke Outlook

Air quality is forecast to remain in the Good to Moderate air quality category across the state, although short term readings will be higher in the Clearwater drainages and across the Idaho Panhandle. Conditions continue to improve.  Currently there are no Air Quality Alerts issued by DEQ.

Both northern and southern Idaho will be under the influence of an upper level low pressure system today and through the weekend.  This system will provide ample opportunity for afternoon thunderstorms across much of the state.  These storms are expected to be, at best, moderate in nature.  This active weather pattern will be the primary driver through Tuesday of next week before an upper level ridge returns to northern Idaho and a zonal flow pattern sets up across southern Idaho.  Both of these patterns will promote drying across the state.  At this point, there is little confidence out beyond Tuesday and re-evaluation will be needed as the new week begins.

The strongest smoke impacts are occurring across the Idaho Panhandle with light impacts through the Hells Canyon and Clearwater drainages.  This will continue in the afternoon until favorable convective conditions develop across north Idaho. 

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Visit the Idaho Smoke Blog for more information at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

07/09/15 Idaho DEQ Smoke Forecast

Updated 1100am MDT Thursday, July 9, 2015

Valid through Noon MDT Friday, July 10, 2015

Smoke Outlook

Air quality is forecast to remain in the Good to Moderate air quality category across the state, although short term readings will be higher in the Clearwater drainages and across the Idaho Panhandle from Benewah County north.  Conditions have improved across the state in comparison to yesterday’s data.  Currently there are no Air Quality Alerts issued by DEQ.

Northern Idaho is under an upper level ridge pattern today with stagnant atmospheric conditions.  This will limit regional impacts but also serve to heighten the impacts of local, low-level smoke already entrained within the area.  It is unlikely to lift much today as the ridge persists through this afternoon.  The convective systems have weakened through the evening and are thus unlikely to fire off any storms today over the Panhandle or Clearwater drainages, so similar conditions to yesterday will likely occur.  Tomorrow looks to be a favorable day to mix smoke out of the region via rain scouring and convective lift associated with afternoon thunderstorms.  Southern Idaho will be influenced with scattered, wet thunderstorms that will develop across much of the Snake River Plain this afternoon, particularly across the Southern and Southeast Highlands.  Surface winds will be from the east-southeast in the southwest and southwest across the Upper Snake River Plain at 5-10 mph today.  Near thunderstorms, expect wind gusts up to 50 mph with erratic wind directions.  Similar conditions are expected through Friday.

The strongest smoke impacts are occurring across the Idaho Panhandle and through the Hells Canyon and Clearwater drainages.  This will continue in the afternoon and evening today the upper level ridge limits dispersion and movement in central and northern Idaho.  Light impacts will also occur in the Lower Snake and Southern Highlands as smoke from fires burning in the Salmon River Mountains and Oregon drift into the region.  

View DEQ near-real time monitoring at:  http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Smoke forecasts are dependent on predicted fire growth and weather.  If conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur.  When visibility starts to go below 5 miles, sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities.  Everyone else should minimize prolonged or physical activity outdoors.  Visit the Idaho Smoke Blog for more information at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/

Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside.  Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. 

AQI Category	Visibility (miles)
Good	11+
Moderate	6-10
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	3-5
Unhealthy	1½  -2¾
Very Unhealthy	1-1¼
Hazardous	Less than 1

Wildfire Smoke Advisory Issued in North Idaho

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Melanie Collett
July 7, 2015	(208) 415-5108

  

HAYDEN, ID -- Panhandle Health District (PHD) and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have issued a Wildfire Smoke Advisory for Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah Counties. Wildfire smoke from several fires currently burning in Idaho, Washington, and Canada are impacting air quality.

At this time, air quality is categorized as “moderate” to “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Older adults, pregnant women, children, and those with pre-existing respiratory issues or heart disease are often more affected by these conditions. Residents may notice the smell of wildfire smoke and reduced visibility and are advised to:

• Avoid heavy work or exercise outdoors.
• Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate. For homes without a central heating and/or cooling system, use portable air purifiers to remove particles.
• Limit time outdoors, especially if you have respiratory conditions or heart disease.
• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps dilute phlegm in the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough out smoke particles.
• Seek medical treatment for uncontrolled coughing, wheezing, choking, or if you have difficulty breathing once you move back indoors.
• Stay up-to-date on air quality in your community. View near real-time air quality monitoring by visiting http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/. 

PHD and DEQ will continue to monitor air quality conditions and will issue additional advisories as conditions warrant.

For more information on air quality or potential health impacts of wildfire smoke, you may also contact: Ralph Paul with the Department of Environmental Quality at 208-769-1422 or Erik Ketner with the Panhandle Health District at 208-415-5224.