Air quality sits at moderate... for now

KELLOGG –– As the smoke continues to fill the skies across the region, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has dispatched some additional tools to help monitor the situation.

Over the last few hours the air quality number has trended favorably, and currently sits at 55, or ‘moderate’ level.

This is down significantly from the 168 we were at just 24 hours ago, but the current forecast predicts that we will be returning to the unhealthy range periodically over the next several days.

A remote air quality monitor will be set up in Kellogg to help keep a more accurate reading of the air quality and track how it changes from the new remote monitor to the permanent monitoring station at Pinehurst Elementary School.

IDEQ was asked by the City of Kellogg if they had any of the portable remote monitors available for use as they continue to deal with heavy smoke and other effects of the Character Complex Fire near Prichard.

The portable monitors are called E-BAMS and are essentially a smaller version of the permanent monitors they use regularly.

“They give us 15-minute estimated readings and hourly measured readings,” Shawn Sweetapple with IDEQ told News-Press. “The neat thing about these monitors is that we are provided with a satellite pack by the U.S. Forest Service. Because of the satellite pack we can essentially deploy those monitors anywhere they are needed.”

As of right now, the monitor will sit atop the old the old District #2 firehouse in Uptown Kellogg and measure the air quality for IDEQ to monitor.

The fine particulate matter in the smoke is hazardous to people’s lungs, especially those with any respiratory diseases or other sensitive groups.

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.

At the unhealthy level, the concern shifts from just those sensitive groups to everyone, with the more sensitive groups experiencing more significant and serious effects of the polluted air.

During that time, people who are part of the sensitive groups should avoid prolonged/heavy exertion and stay indoors.

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.

The full chart describing these ratings accompanies this story and can be referenced.

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 or contact DEQ’s Regional Office in Coeur d’Alene at (208) 769-1422.

A full, outdoor burn ban is in place, and those who use wood stoves are being asked to voluntarily stop using their stoves for the time being.