Fires adversely impacting area air quality

The rampant fire activity in northwest Montana and the rest of the Pacific Northwest region has created significant air quality concerns in Lincoln County.

“Our air quality has been fluctuating between unhealthy and hazardous as a result of the smoke in the air,” Jen McCully of the Lincoln County Environmental Health department said.

The air quality is measured continuously by equipment located on top of the Lincoln County Annex in Libby. The results of the monitoring are reviewed hourly by environmental health staff and updates are posted as needed on the county’s website and on the reader board at the county courthouse.

“I update the sign at the courthouse and our phone line as soon as anything changes, based upon the hourly results,” environmental health staff member Jake Mertes said.

McCully and Mertes, along with Environmental Health director Kathi Hooper advise people to spend as little time out of doors as possible.

“When it’s bad, don’t go outside if you don’t have to,” Mertes said. “if you have to be outside, try to reduce prolonged exertion and heavy breathing.”

Air quality ratings of unhealthy, very unhealthy or hazardous indicate the air could cause health issues for everyone, not just members of sensitive population groups.

Sensitive populations, those with a history of lung or respiratory problems, very young children or elderly people should avoid prolonged exposure to unhealthy air and should avoid all physical activity out of doors when conditions reach very unhealthy or hazardous.

Other people should minimize strenuous activity and prolonged exertion in unhealthy air quality circumstances. Once the quality rating reaches hazardous, even people not considered sensitive should avoid all outside physical activity.

Anyone working outside during alert conditions should focus on their breathing and watch for physical trouble signs.

“People should take frequent breaks,” McCully said. “Also, watch for symptoms such as coughing, shallowness of breath and a heavy chest feeling.”

Mertes said the most important thing is for people to obtain credible medical advice.

“People should consult with their medical professionals,” he said. “They’re the ones in the best position to provide advice about masks and other measures individuals should take.”

McCully said it’s difficult to forecast the smoke and air conditions, as minute weather changes can cause significant impacts.

“That’s a tough question to answer,” she said. “The Pacific Northwest is burning up. There’s a front coming in and it might push the smoke out for a while, but there’s really no way to tell how long a change will last.”

Mertes pointed to air quality charts from the previous week, noting good air quality during the past weekend, but also how quickly the quality changed back to unhealthy by Monday.

“The quality can change very quickly,” he said. “Even in just a 24-hour period.”