Getting smoky out there

Photos courtesy of DEQ/ As of 5 p.m. on 8/7, a snapshot of North Idaho on DEQ’s real-time air monitoring map. The Silver Valley is not alone in its “moderate” rating.

by JOSH McDONALD & CHANSE WATSON
Local Editor | August 7, 2017 7:00 PM

PINEHURST— Several large fires in the neighboring areas have kicked up a lot of smoke and that can spell trouble for anyone trying to get anything done outside.

From high school athletics to just grabbing a quick walk around the block with your dog, being out in the smoky air is incredibly dangerous and precautions should be taken.

According to Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) in Cataldo and satellite images of our region, most of the smoke in the Silver Valley is coming from fires North of the border in Canada, but fires in Neighboring Montana and Washington are adding to the haze as well.

As of Monday, August 7 at 5 p.m., the air quality in out area is in the “moderate” area.

This means that even though the air is acceptable, there may be a risk to a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

The Silver Valley collects its air quality data from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) air monitoring station in Pinehurst.

The DEQ considers smoky air to be a form of particle pollution and it can be harmful to your health.

Particle pollution has been linked to a number of health problems including coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and even death.

Residents can visit the IDEQ website to view the air quality index to see what the forecasted air quality is supposed to be.

The IDEQ rates air quality using a series of numerical values.

0-50 is good and 51-100 is moderate, but after 100 things get dangerous and there are specific warnings that apply to people with varying sensitivity.

The full chart accompanies this story and can be referenced.

Ideas like less strenuous outdoor activities, shortening the time of such activities, and canceling activities all together are suggestions that IDEQ recommends during times of heightened poor air quality.

Should air quality not improve in the coming days it could interfere with the beginning of local football teams, soccer teams, and cross country practices.

For more information visit the IDEQ website at www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality and click on the air quality index to follow the region’s forecasted air quality.