Depending on where you are in the County, you may have been relieved that the smell of smoke wasn’t so heavy in the air last night. Despite that, there is still smoke particulates in the air causing Moderate air quality throughout Missoula County. Steady westerly winds are dispersing smoke and sending the smoke plume from the Miller Peak Fire east towards Clinton and further. Light smoke from fires in western states will continue to move towards Missoula, but air quality should stay Moderate. Gustier winds may disperse smoke today throughout the county but could also fuel fires and therefore produce more smoke. Winds will calm down in the evening resulting in down drainage of smoke overnight and smoke pooling in areas nearest the Miller Peak Fire. Check the Fire and Smoke Map often for the most current air quality around Missoula County. You’ll notice a new blue box around Missoula and the Miller Peak Fire on the Fire and Smoke Mape. If you click on the exclamation point-! in the upper left corner, you can read Smoke Outlooks related to the Miller Peak Fire.
A couple notes about cleaning indoor air, air cleaners, smoke and health. First, portable air cleaners with HEPA filters or MERV13+ filters really do work wonders in filtering out smoke particles! Particulate matter from smoke is 2.5 microns in size or smaller, hence the name PM2.5. Our bodies don’t have defenses to protect us against particulate matter that small so when breathed in, particulates can reach the lungs reducing lung capacity. PM2.5 can also cross into the bloodstream and be transported throughout the body. These both cause concerning health impacts – inflammatory responses, weakened immune systems, worsened illness and disease symptoms (especially heart and lung disease and respiratory illnesses), and can have long term and immediate effects especially on sensitive groups (children, pregnant persons, elderly, asthmatics, and more). Cleaning your indoor air or spending time in a clean indoor space can help prevent against these health impacts from smoke.
Smoke outside will inevitably end up inside. People typically spend most of their time indoors. We have some say over indoor environments whereas we don’t have complete control over what happens outside. Despite my best efforts of making a ginormous outdoor air cleaner or fan to rid Missoula of smoke forever, I’ve failed… So back to air cleaners.
Portable air cleaners with HEPA filters can filter out particles down to 0.3 microns in size, now that’s even smaller than most smoke particles! MERV 13-16 rated furnace filters can also filter out smoke particles. Whether you filter air with an air cleaner and HEPA filter, DIY air cleaner, furnace filters, or go somewhere for clean indoor air depends on your situation, but there are ways you can improve your indoor air quality. Do yourself a favor and read through the resources at Montanawildfiresmoke.org! If you’re a NorthWestern Energy customer, they are offering a $100 rebate on air cleaners that are EnergyStar Certified until August. This is an awesome opportunity for those that it applies to!
When it’s hot like it is, smoke makes its way into homes easily as opening windows is the easiest way to cool a home. Heat is more immediately dangerous than wildfire smoke and it’s more important to cool your home. Once your home has cooled down, close the windows and turn on a HEPA portable air cleaner or a DIY air cleaner and use it to clean your air. If you cannot tolerate any smoke inside your home and you don’t have air conditioning, you may need to spend time with a friend or relative or at a place with both clean and cool air.
Smoke reaches us all in one way or another. Air quali-kitty, Mushu, encourages everyone to take care of themselves, family, friends, and neighbors when smoke is in the air! Breathe safe.