As of 11 am, air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups for most of the Missoula Valley and Unhealthy in Lolo. Expect variable smoke levels between good/moderate and Unhealthy today. With any luck, we will have good to moderate air quality as the day progresses.
Unhealthy air quality has health impacts for everyone; everyone should limit outdoor activities, especially if they are high exertion activities. Sensitive groups such as children, asthmatics, pregnant persons, and those with heart or lung disease should limit time spent outdoors and seek rest in a clean indoor air environment.
Keep your indoor air clean with portable air cleaners with HEPA filters or using high efficiency (MERV 13 or better) filters with your furnace fan. For more tips, check out the new fact sheet from EPA about coping with smoke and heat!
Satellite images mostly show clouds in Idaho and western Montana this morning. Hopefully, the Wednesday and Thursday rains will dampen the fires and provide relief from the smoke by Thursday.
Keep an eye on changing conditions by looking outside and checking the Fire and Smoke Map and Montana Today’s Air for the most current air quality closest to you.
Benjamin Schmidt
Air Quality Specialist