The Department of Environmental Quality is anticipating poor air quality over the next few days in five Northern Idaho counties, including Latah County.
“At this point, we will continue to see those smoke impacts at the higher levels,” said Melissa Rhein, an air quality analyst at the DEQ.
The department expects poor air quality in Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater and Idaho counties.
With no rain in the forecast, the department is projecting levels to stay in the unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous range over the next few days, Rhein said.
The department listed Moscow air quality as “unhealthy” throughout the day Monday.
At these higher smoke impact levels, Rhein said people will start to feel the effect of the smoke if they are outside for an extended period of time.
“Everyone should be limiting their activity, not just people in sensitive groups,” Rhein said of the air quality.
Rhein said people can experience running noses, watery eyes and sinus issues if they are outside for an extended period of time.
People with medical conditions should also be aware of how the smoke might affect them, Rhein said. She said these smoke levels can cause shortness of breath and exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma.
To stay out of the smoke, Rhein recommended people keep their doors and windows closed. She said people should also use their air conditioning systems, which often have a venting system, to help with the smoke.
To keep smoke out of an apartment or house, Rhein said people should do anything to secure drafts in their house, such as putting a blanket to seal the bottom of a door.
Rhein said much of the smoke in Moscow is coming from fires in Washington and Oregon, as well as local fires in Idaho, such as the Clearwater Complex fire.
She said western winds push Washington and Oregon smoke toward Moscow, where as eastern winds push smoke from local fires.
Nearby fires
The Clearwater Complex fire is 45,973 acres in total and is 45 percent contained as of Monday morning. The complex fire is located near Kamiah, a small town west of Lewistown.
At total of 54 fire engines, nine dozers and six helicopters are being used to fight the flames.
The complex, caused by a lighting strike earlier this month, now consists of smaller fires, such as the Lawyer Fires, Lolo Fires and Carrot Ridge Fire.
The Municipal Complex fire has burned 23,483 acres and is 80 percent contained as of Monday morning. The complex consists of the Municipal Fire, the Old Greer Fire and the Fisher Fire, which totals 21,640 acres and is 75 percent contained.
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ryantarinelli