Silver Valley air quality downgraded to Moderate

PINEHURST— As of Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 1:15 p.m. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reports that the air quality rating in the Silver Valley is at “Moderate.”

This means that although the general public should not be affected, those with allergies to smoke or any sort of breathing conditions may experience negative health effects.

A look at the surrounding cities in the Idaho Panhandle show degraded air quality ratings as well.

According to satellite images of the pacific north west (see photos), much of the smoke in our area is coming from wildfires burning in Central Washington.

Nearby, uncontained wildfires in or near Shoshone County include:

•Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District- Rampike fire, 185 acres. Surprise Creek fire, 32, acres.

•St. Joe River Ranger District- Quartz Creek, 30 acres. Snow Peak, 2 acres.

During this period of heightened poor air quality, the DEQ 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 DEQ 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 DEQ 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.

To see the live air-quality map, visit http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov.