Air quality warning issued for several east Idaho localities
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IDAHO FALLS – Heavy smoke from the Henry’s Creek Fire has forced the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to issue an air quality alert for several areas in east Idaho.
Current elevated DEQ monitors include Salmon, Rexburg, Franklin, Garden Valley, Idaho City, Pinehurst, Potlatch, Lewiston, and the Coeur d’Alene tribal monitor in Plummer which are all reading in the Moderate Category. Idaho Falls is currently reading in the Unhealthy category.
“The effects of pollution can be harmful,” Rensay Owen, DEQ regional manager for air quality, tells EastIdahoNews.com. “Right now you’re okay to go outside but it can change on an hourly basis.”
Owen says the air has been deemed “unhealthy” and the wind doesn’t seem to be alleviating the problem.
“If you’re having difficulty breathing or any sensitivity, like existing lung or heart conditions, you might want to rethink going outside and exerting yourself,” Owen says.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MOST RECENT AIR QUALITY REPORTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY