Smoke in Ketchum area causes "hazardous" air quality; conditions in Treasure Valley also deteriorate

Smoke in Ketchum area causes “hazardous” air quality;
conditions in Treasure Valley also deteriorate

Air quality in the Wood River Valley has reached a “hazardous” level because of smoke from wildfires, prompting public health officials to urge all residents to stay indoors and avoid physical activity until the air quality improves.

In the Treasure Valley, air quality is listed as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” with public health officials recommending that children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with medical conditions such as asthma should limit outdoor activity and prolonged physical exertion.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) does not expect weather patterns to significantly change over the next two days, meaning that air quality conditions may not improve in the near future.

People exposed to smoke may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Older adults, infants, children and people with medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart disease are often more affected. People who use inhalers for asthma or other conditions should keep them close at hand. People are advised to seek medical treatment for uncontrolled coughing, wheezing, choking, or if they have difficulty breathing once they move back indoors.

To reduce your exposure to smoke and protect your health, public health officials advise:

·         Everyone should avoid heavy work or exercise outdoors when the air quality index reaches unhealthy or hazardous levels.

·         Daycare providers should keep children indoors for recess.

·         Older adults, small children, and those with respiratory conditions or heart disease may be more sensitive to poor air quality and should stay indoors and avoid heavy work when air quality reaches unhealthy levels.

·         Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps dilute phlegm in the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough out smoke particles. Plan on coughing; it is nature’s way of clearing your lungs. Avoid caffeine products, sugary drinks and alcohol because they have a dehydrating effect.

·         Stay cool if the weather is warm. Run your air conditioner to recirculate air. Turn the fan blower on manually so it continuously filters the air in your home.

·         For homes without a central heating and/or cooling system, use portable air purifiers to remove particles. Air purifiers that utilize HEPA filters are best; avoid using air purifiers that produce ozone. Visit areas in your community that have air conditioning, such as a library.

·         If you wear contact lenses, switch to eyeglasses in a smoky environment.

Not all areas of the state have air quality monitors, so people are encouraged to be cautious if visibility is affected because of smoke and particulates from wildfires. If visibility is reduced to less than eight miles, sensitive groups should limit activity. If visibility is reduced to less than three miles, air quality is considered unhealthy for everyone. If visibility deteriorates to less than 1.5 miles, it is considered very unhealthy or hazardous.

Daily updates on air quality conditions at various locations in Idaho are available on DEQ's Air Quality Reports and Forecasts webpage. For areas where air quality monitors are not available, the Visibility Range and AQI Table can help determine the necessary precautions to take. For more complete information about wildfires in your area visit the Idaho Smoke Information Blog. 

For more information on protecting your health from wildfire smoke, visit Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Wildfire Smoke and Your Health webpage. On this site, people may find the Community Guide for Staying Healthy During Wildfire Smoke Events and the Activity Guidelines for Wildfire Smoke Events particularly helpful.