Nationally, 7.5 million acres have been burned this fire season, according to College of Natural Resources Professor Penny Morgan.
There have been 52 large fires throughout the Northwest this fire season, and 21 large fires specifically in Idaho, according to Morgan, who is also a certified senior fire ecologist through the Association for Fire Ecology.
“We can expect more in the future. The fire season in Idaho is now 32 days longer than it was in 1984 – that”s a month longer,” Morgan said.
Morgan said the levels of particulates people breathe when the air is smoky can be hazardous to their health. She said smoke particulates are so small that they can get sucked into the tiniest part in a lung where the air and blood come together.
Morgan said the particulates can have jagged edges and can be covered by tar and resin, which can be chemically irritating.
“So this air is literally physically and chemically irritating,” Morgan said, mentioning people should drink fluids, get enough sleep and take Vitamin C to deal with the air quality.
For some fire-ecology majors, the recent smoke on campus has helped fuel their passions.
“The smoke on campus reminds me why I am here, and what I am studying,” said Luke Hight, a fire ecology major. “It really gives me an incentive to study harder and to get better grades, so that I can go out there and fight the same type of fires affecting this campus.”
Morgan recommended taking breaks while working outside in the smoke and running air conditioners, most of which have air filters, she said.
“Giving yourself a break from the smoke is important,” Morgan said.
Alexander Milles can be reached at [email protected]
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story contained an incorrect figure. Nationwide, 7.5 million acres have burned this year as of last week.