DEQ issues statewide air quality advisory due to wildfire smoke

The weather service is forecasting cooler temperatures by the end of the week, with highs of 80 to 82 degrees on Friday and Saturday in Coeur dAlene. With the Southeasterly flow there is a possibility that some of this moisture may reach the coast.

Third graders watch the movie “Cinderella” during recess on Tuesday at Washington Elementary School in Pendleton.

Idaho DEQ monitoring stations show air quality in Cottonwood at “hazardous” levels, now (as of 10:30 a.m., September 5) at 415 on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Garberville and areas in southern Humboldt continue to be forecast in the “Moderate” range. It is VERY UNHEALTHY in Frenchtown. The day started with it getting called “unhealthy for sensitive groups” before that was upgraded to being “unhealthy” and then finally getting classified as “very unhealthy”.

The state website that provides those real-time air quality updates crashed as people tried to learn more about the conditions in their area. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is issuing this advisory until Thursday at 10 a.m.

Clean air centers are set up in Hoopa and Weitchpec in the tribal offices along state Route 96. Hours are 8 a.m.to 6 p.m. The AQI measures the content of pollutants in the air including particulate matter, which is the main harmful component of wildfire smoke.

Smoke will return to Corvallis this weekend due to continuing wildfire-prone conditions, posing potential health risks. In these stages of deteriorating air conditions, it impacts everyone and not just those people who might already have breathing problems. It’s important to drink plenty of water and stay indoors. “By that we recommend that everybody try to stay indoors and if you are outdoors, try not to exert yourself”. Even healthy adults can be affected by smoke.

For information on the health effects of exposure to wildfire smoke, visit the Department of Health and Welfare’s blog. Students with heart or lung conditions, including asthma, should be particularly careful in these smoky conditions, Donato said. “The fine particles in smoke can make it harder to breathe and reduce oxygen intake so if you see or smell smoke please minimize outdoor exertion”, she added.