Wildfires Spark Health Advisory for Idaho Residents

The Idaho Departments of Health and Welfare and Environmental Quality are warning people across Idaho of potentially unhealthy and even hazardous air quality conditions from wildfire smoke. There are currently multiple wildfires burning in Idaho and smoke from those fires can cause serious health problems. Parts of Valley and Custer counties have been especially hard hit due to the large fires burning in their areas.

"Smoke consists of particles of various sizes, many of which are small enough to be inhaled deep into the respiratory tract. These particles can cause damage to lung tissue, and can reduce the body's ability to fight off infection," according to Dr. Kai Elgethun, Health Toxicologist for the Bureau of Community and Environmental Health. Elgethun advises everyone to limit unnecessary outdoor activities when air quality deteriorates. He says older adults, those with respiratory or heart disease and parents with infants should be very careful when air quality becomes unhealthy.

Wildfire smoke and air quality can change by the hour, due to fluctuating weather and fire conditions. Because most rural, forested areas do not have air quality monitoring equipment, people are advised to use visibility guidelines to gauge the quality of air in their area and take the necessary precautions to protect their health. These are:

GOOD (visibility of 10 miles or more) - No health concerns.
MODERATE (visibility of 5-10 miles) - Unusually sensitive people* should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS (visibility of 3-5 miles) - Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
UNHEALTHY (visibility of 1½-3 miles) - Sensitive people should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
VERY UNHEALTHY (visibility of 1-1½ miles) - Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
HAZARDOUS (visibility of 1 mile or less) - Sensitive people should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Everyone else should avoid all physical activity outdoors.

* Sensitive people include those with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children. To determine visibility, face away from the sun and look for targets at known distances. Visible range is that point at which even high contrast objects disappear.

People exposed to smoke may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Older adults, infants, children and those with medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or congestive heart disease are more affected. Those who use inhalers for asthma or other conditions should keep them close at hand. People are advised to seek medical treatment for uncontrolled coughing, wheezing, choking, or if breathing difficulty continues once they come indoors.

Elgethun provides these tips for people to reduce their exposure to smoke and protect their health:

Limit outdoor activity, especially older adults, small children, and those with respiratory or heart disease;
If the weather is warm, run your air conditioner to re-circulate air. Turn the fan blower on so it continuously filters the air in your home;
Wash or change filters on air conditioners and/or furnaces frequently. Use high efficiency filters, when possible;
For homes without a central heating and/or cooling system, use portable air purifiers to remove particles (air purifiers that utilize HEPA filters are best, avoid using air purifiers that produce ozone);
Do not run or engage in heavy work or exercise when the air quality index reaches 'unhealthy' levels;
Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Remaining hydrated helps dilute the phlegm in the respiratory tract making it easier to cough smoke particles out. Plan on coughing, it is nature's way of clearing your lungs. Avoid caffeinated products, sugary drinks and alcohol as they have a dehydrating effect; and
If you wear contact lenses, switch to eyeglasses in a smoky environment.

The IDEQ conducts daily updates on air quality in Idaho communities with monitoring equipment which can be found on the IDEQ website.