Western wildfires cause air-quality level concern

Are you finding your eyes are just a bit drier, more irritated?

Perhaps, you’re finding it just a little more difficult to catch your breath as you winterized your garden, cutting back the plants.

Before you just assume its just getting older, blame it on any one — or all — of the western wildfires.

In Libby, air quality has dropped to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” which means those people with breathing conditions.

“The people at risk are those with asthma or compromised respiratory systems,” said Kendra Lind, assistant sanitarian with the Environmental Health Department.

Lind pointed several wildfires west of Libby in Idaho and Washington that are directly upwind of Libby, forcing smoke-filled air our way.

For more on air quality in Libby and Montana go to http://todaysair.mt.gov/AirDataMap.aspx.

Also, the DNRC has extended the fire-safety season.