Above: Active wildfires in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Western Montana, and Northern California at 4:18 a.m. MDT August 16, 2017.
(Originally published at 10:21 a.m. MDT August 16, 2017)
Dozens of wildfires are active in the Northwest one-quarter of the United States. Many of them have been burning for several weeks under a limited suppression strategy. The states of Washington and Oregon have a total of 32 large uncontained fires that have spread over 810,171 acres.
At times the area around Missoula has been heavily affected by smoke. Here are some PM 2.5 readings from Wednesday morning:
- Seeley Lake: 180
- Missoula: 33
- Lolo: 54
- Superior: 180
- French Town: 19
- Clinton: 26
After 15 years as a small town fire fighter in South West Montana, [20 yrs. ] of living here the smoke is piling up with the wind. If yang have any medical issues with respiratory problems , STAY AWAY FROM IT THE BEST YOU CAN make defensible spaces & remain vigiant, a simple wind change can change a fire situation very bad very fast. God bless the hard working fire fighters !!!