Most of Missoula County is enduring air quality that is Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Levels of PM2.5 have been pretty consistent all day. Recently, the haze across the county is traveling from fires in Oregon and California, whereas earlier this week wind was carrying smoke from Canada. The whole state of Montana is in a similar boat as Missoula County (maybe some are slightly more afloat); Smoke Forecasts by MT DEQ are really helpful to stay up to date on the rest of the state. Missoula County will likely stay hazy due to the smoke being blown this way, but strong wind gusts this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon may push this smoke out of the valleys that are holding onto it too tightly. From the images taken by the GOES 18 satellite, you can see a lot of active fires further west with distinct plumes. The wind is moving smoke from Northern California and Oregon northeast towards Missoula, currently.
Moderate air quality has possible health effects on people, but are typically less noticeable than when the air quality gets to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. When air pollution is between 100 and 150 AQI (USG), it increases symptoms of smoke exposure in those with heart and lung diseases, children, elderly, pregnant persons, outdoor workers, and people of lower socioeconomic status. This can look anything like respiratory irritation, strain on the cardiovascular system, reduced lung function, and more. Smoke exposure weakens our immune systems so reducing exposure is critical to staying healthy during wildfire season. It’s possible to reduce smoke exposure by breathing clean, filtered air. Thankfully, HEPA filters in a portable air cleaner or HVAC MERV filters with a rating over 13 can remove smoke particles from air inside! Read through the resources at Montanawildfiresmoke.org for more information on cleaning your indoor air and staying healthy this smoky summer. The extremely hot temperatures this summer makes staying healthy during wildfire season even more complicated. Heat is immediately dangerous to our health and causes heat stress and heat related illnesses. When battling heat and smoke, address heat first and then smoke. Stay hydrated and take breaks inside places with cooled and filtered air. If you need to cool your home, open your windows at night and then run your air cleaner once your space has cooled down.
The monitor on the Fire and Smoke Map closest to the Miller Peak Fire is recording Unhealthy levels of PM2.5, but just a couple miles down the road the air monitor is reading Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. When levels of PM2.5 are in the Unhealthy range, there’s a lot of particulate matter floating around and it can impact everyone’s health, especially sensitive groups. Outdoor recreation and prolonged exertion outdoors should be heavily limited; clean indoor air spaces should be sought out or created at home.
Firefighter crews have been working hard on the Butler Creek Fire and is now 70% contained! The Miller Peak Fire has slowed and it’s reported to be 25% contained. The current weather conditions of high temperatures and strong gusts of wind have spurred Red Flag Warnings for today and tomorrow and a Heat Advisory until tomorrow night issued by the National Weather Service. Weather conditions can drastically change how a fire behaves, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on the progression of the Miller Peak Fire. A HUGE thanks to all of the people working tirelessly to contain both of these fires so close to Missoula!
For now, Mushu, your local air quali-kitty (sorry for the typo yesterday!), is hanging out inside clean indoor air but still enjoying that wonderful sunshine! Breathe safe and stay updated on changing air quality by checking the Fire and Smoke Map.