BOISE, Idaho — Wildfires are burning across the west, and this weekend that smoke will be filling into the Treasure Valley. A shift in the wind is already sending smoke from western Oregon into Baker County.
Experts expect air quality in southwest Idaho to dip into the "orange" or "red" category over the weekend, meaning it's "unhealthy". The young, elderly, and those with respiratory issues are advised to avoid spending time outdoors.
The wildfire smoke is expected to move inland as the winds aloft shift to the west. Here is the modeled smoke through midday Saturday. #idwx #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/DW7q2oKZMp
— NWS Boise (@NWSBoise) September 11, 2020
"Stay indoors if you can," Dr. John Jeppson with Boise Valley Asthma and Allergy Clinic said. "Even people who don’t have asthma are going to experience respiratory symptom."
Last month, smoke from these fires sent us into the "moderate" or "yellow" category for several days, but this time around will be different.
"This one looks to be more severe in impact, but hopefully shorter in duration," Mike Toole at the DEQ said.
With another change in the weather pattern expected next week, the smoke is forecast to come and go within a few days.
So what should you do? Avoid outdoor exercise, stay indoors with windows and doors closed, and run the A/C. If you have an N-95 mask, wearing that while outdoors can help.
