By BRIAN WALKER

Hagadone News Network

Mark Wilson said he could've guessed that air quality in the region reached "unhealthy" levels for the first time this year on Monday.

"Just looking across the lake tells the story," Wilson said while walking along Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive Monday morning. "I haven't seen it this bad this year."

Wilson said he was trying to get his stroll in before the air quality worsened.

"I definitely won't be out for as long as I usually am," the Coeur d'Alene man said. "I can feel that my eyes are more irritated than usual."

Shawn Sweetapple, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's regional air quality manager, said the air quality index reached 169 in Coeur d'Alene on Monday. As of 3 p.m., it was 157. Both are easily in the “unhealthy” range. In Sandpoint, the air quality index was a fraction better, with a 157 rating with a 160 air quality index expected today.

"It's the worst we've had this year," he said.

Readings in the 151 to 200 range are considered unhealthy to where everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Sweetapple said it's possible the air quality could be degraded further to the "very unhealthy" range today.

"It looks like the smoke is hitting a front between Moscow and Plummer and stopping," he said. "We expect that front to eventually move south, but the smoke will likely continue to stack up the next couple days."

Sweetapple said the smoke in this area is a combination of fires in British Columbia, western Washington and North Idaho.

"We're getting it from different directions," he said.

Sweetapple said the wind from the northwest late Sunday night surprised many forecasters with the large amount of smoke on Monday.

"The wind shift wasn't expected and was sudden," he said.

Sweetapple said people may want to limit the time they’re outside, if possible.

"Sensitive folks should definitely keep their activity to a minimum," he said.

Older adults, pregnant women, children and those with pre-existing respiratory issues or heart disease are often more affected by these conditions, a Panhandle Health District press release states.

Health experts also suggest drinking water to dilute phlegm in the respiratory tract. Air conditioning units and car vent systems should be set to re-circulate. For homes without a central cooling system, use portable air purifiers to remove particles.

View near real-time air quality monitoring by going online to airnow.gov or airquality.deq.idaho.gov.

Fire restrictions are in effect.

Fires are allowed only in developed recreation areas. Charcoal barbecues are not allowed, but enclosed-gas or propane barbecues with an on/off switch are OK.

There's no smoking unless you're in an enclosed vehicle or stopped in an area at least 3 feet clear of flammable material.