Smoke and haze will shroud our skies through the week

SHELLEY – If you woke up this morning to the smell of smoke and a blood-red sun rising over the mountains, you might think there is an extensive, local fire burning.  But there isn’t. 

While some fires are burning in Idaho, the hazy skies and poor air quality are from much larger fires burning out of state.

“The typical dark blue skies of Idaho are being blotted out by large fire complexes in California and Oregon,” John Keys, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Pocatello, said. 

The DEQ currently lists our air quality at 145, unhealthy air for people sensitive to smoke.  Yesterday, the level was 150, which is just under the level where some members of the general public may experience health effects. 

“Current conditions will likely persist through the weekend,” Keys said. “Although a cold front will move in tomorrow night and Wednesday, the smokey conditions will continue.”   

The reason is that large fire complexes in northern Idaho, Washington, and especially British Columbia will then flow into the area as the prevailing winds shift from the southwest to the northwest.

“The reason it is hazy at the street level is due to the amount of smoke throughout the atmosphere,” Keys said. “There is just a whole lot of smoke out there.” 

According to the DEQ, the Air Quality Index is a National standard created through the Clean Air Act.  It measures five major air pollutants.   Each of these pollutants has a national air quality limit by the EPA to protect public health.  One of these pollutants is PM2.5.

PM 2.5 are particles measuring in micrometers in diameter.  They pose the most significant health risk, according to the EPA. 

For more detailed information, look at EPA’s particular basis.