Wildfire Smoke Update
for
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 8:20 AM

Satellite Photos | Locations and Smoke Conditions

Today's Report and Forecast	Today's Summary
Wildfire smoke from Idaho came over the border yesterday afternoon and affected the air quality in some western Montana valleys. Late last night and very early this morning, that smoke cleared out of most valleys. Cumulative smoke exposures in Missoula and Frenchtown are UNHEALTHY, but hourly concentrations have been GOOD this morning. In fact, the last few hours have observed particulate concentrations near zero. Similar conditions were observed in Butte this morning, where cumulative smoke exposures are UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS but hourly concentrations are GOOD and also near zero. The air quality in Hamilton is a different story, where wildfire smoke is still found in higher concentrations this morning. Cumulative smoke exposures are UNHEALTHY, but hourly concentrations have become MODERATE. Elsewhere around the state, air quality is GOOD this morning. For the rest of the day, atmospheric winds will blow from the northwest with lighter winds at the surface. Idaho’s wildfire smoke should not affect many Montana valleys beyond the Bitterroot and the Big Hole. Air quality should stay GOOD in most other locations today. There will be another update this afternoon with the latest smoke conditions and a full forecast.	Please see "Today's Report and Forecast" (left). There will be another update this afternoon with the latest smoke conditions and a full forecast.
Residents near active fires and under plumes aloft need to remain aware of current conditions and use the visibility guidelines to guide their activity decisions as the situation changes.
Air Quality Bureau Montana Department of Environmental Quality Phone: (406) 444-3490 Email: DEQMTSmoke@mt.gov

 




 








 

Real time particulate information is currently available in most of the larger urban areas from MTDEQ's Today's Air website.

Local impacts in areas immediately adjacent to active fires are expected to exceed some or all of the advisory levels.  DEQ recommends the use of local visibility guidelines to evaluate possible health risks and make informed activity decisions.