During the heat of a long fire season, the reds and purples of the rainbow take on a more ominous meaning.

Unhealthy air levels are 151 to 200 and are indicated by red. Very unhealthy levels are shown through purple hues when the air quality increases to levels between 201 to 300, and hazardous levels are maroon, with air quality levels being 301 to 500.

The biggest concern during days filled with smoke is what particles are being left behind in your respiratory system?

Keep an eye on air quality

Dan Smith, regional airshed coordinator for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) said that as people see the air quality levels rising when there are fires in their local area or major smoke blowing in from neighboring regions, they may want to consider leaving ahead of evacuation warnings when the air becomes untenable.

“Purple means don’t breathe,” Smith said.

Smith said that while wildfires are considered “exceptional events” and aren’t included in the big picture determination of annual numbers for the overall air quality in an area, checking the air quality just as you would check the temperature from day to day is the best way to stay safe.

People can mitigate smoke impacts by limiting outdoor exposure and by either purchasing/constructing an air filter. If you’re living in a bad air quality zone, you should also track the Air Quality Index (AQI) regularly in The Press or on the AIR Idaho phone app or at www.airnow.gov.

“You gotta warn people and make sure people are being informed,” Smith said.

Air currents are constantly changing, invisible to the naked eye except when they are marked by smoke-filled particulates from fires. And at the point particulates in the air are visible in smoke, breathing conditions are of serious concern for everyone.

“We can get these big clouds of smoke. Smoke goes away if we leave it alone. We’re not good at leaving it alone,” Smith said.

Soot from wildfires in addition to standard local air pollution can rapidly create conditions above the orange and yellow levels, triggering increased levels of inflammation in the lungs, and putting people at greater risk for respiratory complications such as asthma.

According to the American Lung Association, air pollution can affect lung development in children, and can cause complications leading to emergency room visits or even early death and heart attacks, strokes in adults.

‘Bring them in’

Jessica Harnisch-Boyd treats a broad range of ailments that sometimes include respiratory complaints in her family medicine practice at Shoshone Medical Center.

As fires move and expand into neighboring regions, she says that it is prudent to remain ahead of mandatory evacuations and just consider the continued air quality for you and your family.

“Is it safe for me to be breathing this all day and night?” Harnisch-Boyd asked.

When someone you care about with respiratory concerns comes into proximity with a wildfire zone, if you can help get them a place to stay away from the bad air quality, Harnisch-Boyd recommends springing into action to offer before evacuations require action from households.

“Be mindful of friends and family that have respiratory issues or lung disease. Bring them in when conditions are gross outside,” Harnisch-Boyd said.

In people with no respiratory issues in their medical history, signs that the air quality is getting to you may present as allergy symptoms: runny nose or perpetually scratchy throat.

For those already experiencing respiratory issues, wheezing or shortness of breath may be an indication to seek medical attention when you are living in a bad air quality zone.

Take action

Combat the dangers of particulates by DIY means with the construction of a Corsi-Rosenthal box. All you need is an air filter with MERV13 furnace filters, adhesive tape to secure the box, and a box fan.

More information

The American Lung Association’s key findings for 2023 has deemed that the last three years covered by “State of the Air 2023” have ranked among the seven hottest years on record, globally.

High ozone days and spikes in particle pollution related to heat, drought and wildfires are putting millions of people at risk and adding challenges to the work that states and cities are doing across the nation to clean up air pollution.

According to a 2020 University of Idaho report, between 5,200 and 8,500 respiratory hospital admissions per year during 2008-2012 were attributed to wildfire smoke across the United States. Air pollution emissions have decreased across the U.S. and Idaho since the Clean Air Act was implemented in 1970, but wildfire numbers have caused for concern when projected over the next few decades.

In that same report, many regions in Idaho are projected to be among the highest risk areas of wildfire smoke in the U.S. by 2050, experiencing very poor air quality during multiple events each year.