As wildfires continue to burn, air quality has quickly diminished
This digital map shows the different regions where air quality has moved into the "unhealthy" category. All of the areas in red are classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups. This map can be found at AIRNOW.GOV.
Image courtesy of AIRNOW.GOV
Several ongoing fires continue to burn in Northern Shoshone County.
Both sparked by lightning in late August, little has changed on the Columbus and Bear Gulch Fires in recent days.
The Columbus Fire, located on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District has now burned an estimated 1,000 acres. Six miles northwest of Murray, the fire is being managed under a "confine and contain strategy" due to its steep and rugged terrain, Forest Service officials said.
The nearby Bear Gulch Fire has burned an estimated 144 acres. Also caused by lightning, the fire is located six miles east of Murray.
Both of these fires are in locations with similar terrain as last year’s Deceitful Complex, making the fight against it difficult.
While these may be the closest fires in proximity to the Silver Valley, wildfire smoke from several fires burning in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California are impacting air quality.
Panhandle Health District and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality on Friday afternoon issued a Wildfire Smoke Advisory for Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties.
Older adults, pregnant women, children and those with pre-existing respiratory issues or heart disease are often more affected by these conditions. Residents may notice the smell of wildfire smoke and reduced visibility.
Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system and make you more prone to lung infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
When our bodies really react to wildfire smoke, the symptoms can look a lot like COVID-19: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath. Serious wheezing and shortness of breath are always worth a call to your health care provider — or 911 if you are really struggling to breathe. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has a real-time air quality map you can access on its website to check air quality in your area.
Residents are advised to:
• Avoid heavy work or exercise outdoors.
• Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate. For homes without a central heating and/or cooling system, use portable air purifiers to remove particles.
• Limit time outdoors, especially if you have respiratory conditions or heart disease.
• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps dilute phlegm in the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough out smoke particles.
• Seek medical treatment for uncontrolled coughing, wheezing, choking, or if you have difficulty breathing once you move back indoors.
• Stay up-to-date on air quality in your community. View near real-time air quality monitoring by visiting www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/monitoring/daily-reports-and-forecasts.
The air quality is forecasted to improve throughout the week — however if it doesn't, it could affect a few events, including local football games, and the Kellogg High School Homecoming Parade on Friday afternoon.
PHD and DEQ will continue to monitor air quality conditions and will issue additional advisories as conditions warrant. For more information and resources regarding air quality or potential health impacts of wildfire smoke, visit panhandlehealthdistrict.org.