Increased Wildfire Activity Degrades Northwest Montana Air Quality — Washington, Idaho

Following a brief reprieve, hot temperatures and persistent westerly winds have increased fire activity in the Pacific Northwest and locally, blowing smoke back into Montana over the last 24 hours as air quality deteriorates, according to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

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Inversions are expected to pool smoke in the valleys overnight and worsen air quality while breezy afternoon conditions will improve surface air quality and stoke fire growth. High pressure will continue over the Northern Rockies with hot and dry conditions remaining through the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service.

Wildfire activity has kicked up in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia while local fires in southwest Montana’s Pioneer Mountains continue to grow. The Bobcat Lakes Fire has burned nearly 10,000 acres while the Sand Creek Fire has burned more than 30,000 acres.