DEQ has Extended an Air Quality Forecast & Caution for the Southwest Idaho Area

Air Quality Forecast &Caution Extended

Date/Time Issued: Friday, August 4, 2017/3:00 p.m.

Next Update: Monday, August 7, 2017/3:00 p.m.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended an Air Quality Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Ada, Canyon, and Elmore County of degraded air quality.   Due to a stagnant atmosphere and elevated pollutant levels, BURNING RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT. Air quality is currently in the MODERATE category and is forecast to experience similar impacts over the next few days. The pollutants of concern are Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Ozone.

Woodstove Burning Restrictions

Residential wood burning activities are restricted.

Outdoor Burning Restrictions

All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality Rules for

the Control of Air Pollution in Idaho (IDAPA 58.01.01.550).

Health Impacts and Recommended Actions

When air quality is moderate, air quality is acceptable; however, people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution may experience health impacts and should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

Contact

For more information, contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Boise at (208) 373-0550.

For real-time air monitoring information, visit DEQ’s website at airquality.deq.idaho.gov.

 

Air Quality Advisory Continued

           

Wildfire smoke will likely persist through the weekend for most of Idaho.

Issued 0900 PDT Friday, August 4, 2017

Smoke Outlook

Most of Idaho is in the Moderate Category for Air Quality due to current weather and fires burning in Washington, Canada, Oregon, Montana and Idaho.

Wildfire smoke will likely persist through the weekend for most of Idaho. Concentrations are likely to remain higher in the north with some improvements possible for south Idaho. The southeastern region of the state is under a NWS Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and potential for wildfire growth through today.

DEQ Air Quality Advisories:

• Air Quality Advisory Issued for: Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone, Kootenai, Benewah Counties. An update is expected today Friday August 4 by 10am.
• Stage One Forecast and Caution – Open Burn Ban issued for: Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce. This is active through Monday August 7 at 10am.
• Stage One Forecast and Caution – Open Burn Ban issued for: Ada, Canyon, Elmore Counties. An update is expected today Friday August 4 by 3pm.
• For Additional Information Visit DEQ’s Open Burn Map http://www2.deq.idaho.gov/air/AQIPublic/Map/OutdoorBurn 

Significant Fires impacting Idaho:

Pacific Northwest – Several fires to the west of Idaho are actively burning over 35,000 acres.

Montana – Over 40,000 acres are actively burning in the Lolo National forest.

British Columbia – Over 100 fires actively burning in British Columbia. The four largest fires burning total over 700,000 acres.

Active Idaho Fires – I did not include fires that have minimal fire activity however they may impact some areas of concern.

BURNING RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT. Air Quality Forecast and Caution Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties,

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an Air Quality Forecast and Caution to notify residents of Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties, river corridors and surrounding areas off the Nez Perce Reservation  of degraded air quality. Due to wildfire smoke, BURNING RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT. Air quality is currently in the MODERATE category and is forecasted to remain degraded through the weekend. Conditions may deteriorate rapidly based on fire activity and winds. Sensitive persons should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors.  The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).                                                                                        

Additional information for health recommendations, air quality, and wildfire can be found on the Idaho Smoke Information Blog at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/.   Please see the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare links under the Smoke and Health tab on the blog for additional health recommendations for sensitive groups, communities, schools and daycare facilities: Activity Guideline Recommendations for Children During Wildfire Smoke Events and Community Guide for Staying Healthy During Wildfire Smoke Events.  

Smoke impacts and complaints can be reported to our Smoke Information Hotline at (800)-345-1007.  Air Quality Advisory information can also be found by calling (855) 401-4636 or the DEQ Lewiston Regional Office at (877) 541-3304 or (208) 799-4370 for additional questions or concerns. 

Thursday, August 3, 2017, 10am

Air Quality Advisory on the Nez Perce Reservation

Description of Air Quality Event:

Due to wildfire smoke from regional wildfires, an Air Quality Advisory is issued for the Nez Perce Reservation. Depending on fire activity and wind, wildfire smoke may move in and out of the area during the day and overnight through the coming weekend.  

Affected Areas:      

All areas on the Nez Perce Reservation.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Category:

Air quality is currently ranging from “Moderate” to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” categories of the Air Quality Index.

Local air quality may improve and worsen as smoke moves in and out of communities. Some areas may be more impacted than others, so please take appropriate precautions. For AQI health-related information, visit www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi.

Sensitive groups include:

• Infants, children, pregnant women, elders
• People who have high exposure (those who work, exercise, or spend extensive time outdoors)
• People with existing health conditions or chronic diseases like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, heart disease, COPD or diabetes.

Restrictions:

No EPA/NPT burn permits will be approved.

Next Update:

Conditions will be reassessed and an air quality update issued by 10:00am, Monday, August 7, 2017.

Idaho Smoke Information Blog:  idsmoke.blogspot.com

Idaho Fire Information Blog:  idahofireinfo.com

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare:  Wildfire Smoke and Your Health

Idaho Smoke Information Hotline:  1-800-345-1007

Nez Perce Tribe ERWM Air Quality Program

208-843-9381 | 1-800-720-4089

airquality@nezperce.org | www.nezperce.org

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