This is a mini update for the weekend of October 11-13! It smells a bit smoky out there and the...
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Air
Current Air Quality
Wildfire Smoke Update Sept 11, 2024 at 11:30 AM
As of 11 am, air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups for most of the Missoula Valley and Unhealthy in Lolo. Expect variable smoke...
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Wildfire Air Quality Update Sept 10, 2024 – 1:30 PM
Westerly winds did a most excellent job scouring smoke out of the Missoula Valley yesterday afternoon. Moderate to Unhealthy for...
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Wildfire Smoke Update – September 9, 2024 10:30 AM
September 9, 2024 10:30 a.m. Wildfire smoke covers large parts of Idaho, Oregon and Montana this morning (see image below). ...
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Wildfire Smoke Update – September 8, 2024 4:00 PM
Smoke from out-of-state fires and from the Bitterroot, primarily the Sharrott Creek Fire, is expected to impact the Missoula Valley through Monday....
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Wildfire Smoke Air Quality Update September 6, 2024
Good afternoon, It’s a bit hazy, ya’ll. We’re seeing overhead smoke from out-of-state fires, and smoke from the Bitterroot made...
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Wildfire Smoke Update – Tuesday Sept 3, 2024
Good afternoon, September brought quite the turn of events for air quality. We’ve been spoiled with clean, smoke-free air for...
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Update on Changing Fire Restrictions – August 8, 2024
The City of Missoula (NOT THE COUNTY!) rescinded all restrictions effective today, August 7. The Flathead Indian Reservation (CSKT) and...
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Wildfire Smoke Update July 26, 2024
Good noontime, Last night, smoke blew in from fires burning to our west (mostly from Idaho), and we briefly saw...
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Important City/County Info Following Storm: July 25, 2024 – 11:00 am
INFORMATION LINE: Residents with non-emergent questions following Wednesday's storm can call 406-258-INFO (4636). Residents should continue to call 9-1-1 in...
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Wildfire Smoke Update July 24, 2024
Most of Missoula County is enduring air quality that is Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Levels of PM2.5 have...
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Wildfire Smoke Update July 23, 2024
Blue skies are quite the treat after a smoky weekend and start to the week! Well, I guess it’s not...
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Wildfire Smoke Update July 22, 2024 11:45AM
This morning’s satellite photo shows smoke over our entire region. The smoke over Missoula County is relatively light. There is...
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Wildifre Smoke Air Quality Update – July 18, 2024
Depending on where you are in the County, you may have been relieved that the smell of smoke wasn’t so...
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Wildfire Smoke Air Quality Update – July 19, 2024
Last night smoke from the Miller Peak Fire drained into nearby drainages and into Missoula resulting in air quality ranging...
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Public Notices
Air pollution alerts/warnings are in place to limit small particulate matter that can harm lungs with long term exposure leading to increases in asthma. Status will be updated on a banner on this site if a warning or alert are in place.
| When the following is called: | These restrictions are in effect: |
|---|---|
| Stage I Air Pollution Alert | No visible emissions are allowed from any woodstove or other solid fuel burning device in the Air Stagnation Zone without a valid air alert permit. |
| Stage II Air Pollution Warning | No visible emissions are allowed from any woodstove or other solid fuel burning device inside Impact Zone M without a valid sole source of heat permit. |
Paving and Dust Control
This information sheet provides you with an overview of the dust issue in Missoula County and describes for you the available options for addressing road dust issues in your community.
The best and longest lasting way to prevent dust emissions from roads is to pave the road. Current Missoula City-County regulations require all new roads and most driveways in the Air Stagnation Zone be paved and require reasonable precautions be taken to control fugitive particulate emissions from any source or activity.
The Public Works Department estimates that paving costs $100,000 per mile, which means paving all unpaved County Roads would cost approximately $50 million. Since 1995 more than $4 million dollars of Federal Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality Funds (CMAQ) have been used for paving within the City’s Air Stagnation Zone. Dust abatement costs an estimated $4,000 per mile, which would require a total of $2 million annually to treat all unpaved roads. The total road budget from tax dollars is approximately $1.3 million.
The County continues to look for means to prevent or reduce dust from unpaved roads. Options include increasing the Public Works Department’s share of the county tax dollars, creating Rural Special Improvement Districts and applying for grants when available.
| Options for Addressing Road Dust |
|---|
| 1. Create an RSID for Paving Rural Special Improvement Districts (RSID) can be created to provide funding for improvements and maintenance of infrastructure, such as streets. The funds are generated by all the affected property owners. For citizens to create a Rural Special Improvement District (RSID), at least 60% of the affected property owners must sign a petition indicating their preliminary support. Once the petition is presented to the County Commissioners, a public hearing will be held. The RSID can only be created if less than 50% of the owners in the area protest. For more information on forming an RSID contact 258-4816. |
| 2. Create an RSID for Dust Abatement This is similar to an RSID for paving, but the funds are used for annual dust abatement instead. |
| 3. Hire a Private Firm for Dust Control A third option is to hire a private firm to apply dust suppressant to the road on a one time or annual basis. The money can be collected through private agreements with affected property owners. This can be done on a voluntary basis or through a Homeowner’s Association. On roads the County maintains, a permit is required through the Public Works Department and only approved suppressants are allowed. Through this permitting system the County does road preparation work before the dust suppressant is applied to maximize the dust abatement benefits. For more information on the dust suppressant permitting system contact Public Works at 258-4753. |
| 4. Contact the Western Federal Lands Highway Division If an unpaved road accesses federal land then the Western Federal Lands Highway Division may be interested in the project to provide safe and adequate transportation access to and through federally owned lands. For more information contact them at (360) 619-7700. |
| 5. Traffic Control Options A road surface’s silt and moisture content greatly influence dust emissions. Traffic factors, such as vehicle speed, weight and number of wheels, can also influence dust emissions from unpaved roads. Modifying these factors can influence emissions. State statute requires that an engineering study and “speed limit warrant test” be conducted before a speed limit can be changed. If you believe a speed limit change is warranted on a County road you should put the concern in writing to the Public Works Director, 6089 Training Drive, Missoula 59808.Public Works can produce “Slow Down Dust Hazard” signs as budgets allow. These signs are considered advisory, however, and are not enforceable. Contact Public Works at 258-4753 if interested. Weight restrictions and truck routes can only be established by resolution of the County Commissioners. |