Wildfires spark air quality warnings throughout Idaho

BOISE, Idaho – Air quality throughout Idaho has become unhealthy thanks to wildfire smoke settling in from the Pacific Northwest.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality on Tuesday issued very unhealthy alerts, or purple air quality warnings, in Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties.

DEQ says at those levels everyone should limit their time outdoors if possible, especially people with respiratory issues.

Meanwhile, air quality in Boise is at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. Officials say active children and adults, and people with asthma or lung disease should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Several large wildfires burning in Idaho, Montana and British Columbia since last week triggered the advisories. According to the National Weather Service, the wind is pushing smoke from three different directions and exacerbating the problem.

Forecasters expect the smoke to stay for several days.