The current air quality in Frenchtown, Missoula, Potomac, and Lolo ranges from Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. In Seeley Lake, air quality is Unhealthy for Everyone. See current air quality conditions at Fire.AirNow.Gov. Sensitive groups should limit their exposure to the smoke/PM2.5 in the air and everyone should take steps to reduce their exposure to smoke: AQI Activity Guide.
GOES West Satellite Imagery at 8:40 a.m. on August 9, 2026.
Satellite imagery from this morning shows varying densities of smoke covering all of Montana. Several fires across Washington, Oregon, and Canada were active on Saturday. Thanks to some local afternoon wind and the slightest southwesterly transport winds yesterday, the central part of Missoula County is experiencing a little respite from the smoke. But just north, the Seeley Swan Valley and the Flathead Valley received heavier smoke. Heavy smoke from the active 97,539 acre Little Giant Fire north of Wenatchee and local fires are resulting in Very Unhealthy air quality in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Glacier National Park.
Now for a little good news! Although there are still many active fires producing a lot of smoke in Washington and Oregon (54,223 acre Grasshopper Fire, 23,394 acre Wrights Spring Fire), the percent containment of many of these large wildfires that have been sending smoke west are slowly increasing. Fire fighters have worked to reach 79% containment on the 367,847 acre Rowe Creek Complex fires and 74% containment on the 73,092 acre Shingle Fire. In Washington, the 138,268 acre Kaiser Canyon Fire is at 62% containment and several others are increasing in containment as well. As containment increases, the smoke plumes usually decrease, although they are still actively burning, smoldering, and smoking. It’s just a good sign to see higher containment percentages!
GOES West Satellite Imagery at 8:00 p.m. on August 8, 2026.
This smoke season isn’t over yet and we will continue to experience smoke from fires in the West. Keep tabs on the current air quality to know when to take advantage of less smoky skies as conditions vary. Continue to clean your indoor air with a portable air cleaners with a HEPA filter ($100 NWE rebate) to reduce your exposure to those tiny smoke PM2.5 particulates (particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in size),that make their way indoors through windows, doors, outdoor air intakes, and cracks.
Now it’s time to wake sleepy air quali-kitty Mushu up to enjoy a little outside time while the air quality is slightly better. She knows how important it is to get rest and stay healthy throughout smoke season!
