IDEQ issue air pollution forecast

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an air pollution forecast and caution to notify residents of Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah Counties outside of reservation boundaries of degraded air quality. Impacts may be increased in the Purcell Trench, Silver Valley, and Priest River Valley.

Due to wildfire smoke health impacts may occur, Burning restrictions are in effect. Air quality is currently in the Unhealthy for sensitive groups category and is forecast to potentially have daily spikes in the unhealthy category. Because of changing weather and wind patterns over the next two days smoke impacts may vary widely throughout the day. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter.

When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, sensitive persons* may experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. The general public is unlikely to be affected. The voluntary burn ban for residential wood-burning activities and outdoor burning Restrictions

All outdoor open burning is prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality in accordance with the rules for the control of air pollution in Idaho.