Green dots and blue skys- for now
PINEHURST— It appears that with help from the short-lived rainfall and air currents we received over the weekend, Silver Valley residents can literally breathe a bit better now.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) has upgraded the air quality in the Silver Valley to “Good.”
This means that air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
It was just two days ago on Saturday when our air quality was rated “unhealthy.”
Although we have clear sky’s now, Dan Smith, IDEQ’s West Silver Valley Airshed Project Coordinator, says that this may be temporary.
“(There is a) very strong possibility that smoke with return,” Smith said.
What it comes down to is whether or not the weather patterns we have been seeing the last couple of months return.
“Stagnation and high pressure keep air down,” Smith explained, “its difficult to predict what these changeable weather patterns will do.”
According to Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) in Cataldo and satellite images of our region, much of the smoke that was in our area was coming from fires North of the border in Canada, but fires burning in Montana, Washington, and the southern part of our county have added to the haze as well.
If poor air quality does return to our area, the IDEQ recommends avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, shortening the time of such activities, or canceling those activities all together.
The Silver Valley collects its air quality data from the IDEQ air monitoring station in Pinehurst.
Smoky air is considered 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.
The full chart describing the IDEQ air quality ratings accompanies this story and can be referenced above.
Should air quality worsen 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.