Wildfire smoke chokes Montana valleys

Wildfires continue to rage across Montana leaving behind a persistent smoke that’s blanketing the Flathead Valley and showing no sign of dissipating. Eastern winds were expected to trap smoke over the western part of the state, with little relief in sight for the rest of the week.

Air quality levels in the Flathead Valley hit “very unhealthy” in the early afternoon meaning everyone — not just sensitive groups — could be affected. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality recommends that sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and those with lung conditions move activities indoors and to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outside. For those not at risk, the department advises residents take frequent breaks during all outdoor activities and to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

“If you can see the air, stay inside,” said Carrie Bates, the director of respiratory services at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. “If you can see it, that means there are larger particles in the air. These larger particles get into the lungs causing irritation.”

She recommends that folks who choose to go outdoors wear some kind of protective barrier over the mouth and nose such as a mask, scarf or handkerchief. But the best way to reduce lung irritation, Bates said, is by limiting exposure.

Locals can keep up to date with changing air quality reports by visiting the DEQ’s Today’s Air website, which provides hourly updates.

Hillary Hanson, a health officer with the Flathead City-County Health Department, recommends locals become familiar with the department’s visibility chart, which outlines activity recommendations based on how far an individual can see. For example, if visibility is between 1.3 and 2.1 miles, everyone should avoid prolonged exertion. The chart will help those make immediate decisions based on conditions they see in front of them, which may differ from those gathered at air quality monitoring stations.

Tuesday’s poor air quality caused Bigfork Elementary to host an indoor recess, Superintendent Matt Jensen said.

“It was pretty socked in here and we follow the state DEQ website for healthy and unhealthy qualifications, and it was very unhealthy this morning,” Jensen said.

The superintendent said he plays it hour by hour and will hold indoor practices for athletic teams when necessary.

“Today’s probably been our worst day,” he added.

Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau said football practice was cancelled Tuesday and cross country was moved inside at Kalispell Middle School. Flathead High School’s golf match in Polson was also called off due to poor air conditions.

Columbia Falls School Superintendent Steve Bradshaw said air quality levels haven’t deteriorated enough to move sports practices inside, but said the school’s athletic director has kept a close eye on air quality updates.

“It’s getting pretty bad out there,” Bradshaw said. “Hopefully we’ll get some good rain sometime in the near future, but boy I don’t see anything in the forecast.”

Firefighting experts echoed Bradshaw’s sentiments.

Mike Cole, a public information officer with the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team said it will take a season-ending weather event of rain, snow or both to extinguish Montana’s barrage of wildlifes. He said there’s a 50 percent chance of that event occurring by Sept. 23 and a 25 percent of rain or snow by Sept. 9.

“This is no ordinary fire year, not by a long shot,” Cole said, who likened the fires to the 2000 season which was marked by large blazes in the Bitterroot Valley.

Cole said even half an inch of rain wouldn’t do more than slow the fires down for about four days.

“That fire has lots of places it can hide, even with half an inch of rain,” he said of the Rice Ridge Fire, which has ballooned to more than 108,000 acres east of Seeley Lake.

High temperatures and exceptionally dry fuels have perpetuated the season and firefighting resources are stretched thin, with more and more fires competing for assistance and some firefighters returning to college. Cole said normally by this time of year, they’d be able to send resources down to Texas to help with the hurricane, but have been unable to spare their crews.

“Every fire is pretty much in the same boat — just kind of holding on to what they have. Anything that becomes available gets snatched up right away,” Cole said. “I think everybody’s ready to put away their fire gear and put on some skis.”

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss may be reached at 758-4433 or mreiss@dailyinterlake.com.