Air quality in Northwest Montana dipped to very unhealthy levels last week due to wildfire smoke, bringing those with chronic respiratory conditions into local doctor’s offices.

Dr. Timothy Nuce, medical director with Greater Valley Health Center, said he’s seen multiple patients struggling with the poor air condition. 

“Most commonly, they are seen and treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, and asthma exacerbations,” Nuce explained. 

Smoke from wildfires in Oregon and Washington continued to sit over western Montana on Tuesday, prompting the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to issue an air quality alert for all of Northwest Montana through Wednesday morning, when conditions are expected to improve.  

The air quality index rating in Columbia Falls topped out at 211 on Sunday, Aug. 9 before dipping gradually to 99 by Tuesday afternoon. The index rating was over 150 much of last week. 

Dr. Dillon Noland, a pulmonologist at Logan Health Ear, Nose, Throat and Lung, said it’s important to look at the air quality rating every day as fire season continues. 

“If the air quality index is greater than 100, especially greater than 150, people should avoid being outdoors if possible. The addition of a HEPA air filter within the home would be another recommendation during fire season, if possible,” Noland said. 

He said providers at the clinic have been seeing patients with chronic lung disease who are experiencing worsening respiratory symptoms due to the smoke. 

“Specifically, we are seeing people with worsening cough, chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, wheezing and shortness of breath,” he said.  

During fire season, it’s important for patients with chronic lung disease to take their medications and inhalers as prescribed, he added. People should monitor symptoms closely and use a rescue inhaler as needed throughout the day. 

They should also notify their primary care provider or pulmonologist of worsening respiratory symptoms or more frequent use of the rescue inhaler. Noland added that if respiratory symptoms are severe, they should seek medical care in person. 

“Lastly, if outdoor activities are unavoidable, people should be wearing an N95 respirator if they have underlying lung disease. A simple facemask will not filter the fine particles that we see with wildfire smoke,” Noland said.  

The Montana Department for Environmental Quality tracks air quality through monitoring stations across the state. The Flathead Valley has had three air quality monitoring stations over the last 30 years, in Columbia Falls, Kalispell and Whitefish.  

Flathead County Environmental Health Manager Jim Wardensky recently told commissioners that the county health department had been contacted by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about decommissioning two of the monitoring sites. 

“The EPA and DEQ have determined we have been in attainment for over 30 years now in Flathead County for air quality ... The [sites] also don’t meet the criteria standards for the EPA’s air quality monitoring stations,” Wardensky told commissioners at their July 14 meeting.  

The Columbia Falls monitoring station was deemed adequate to monitor the entire Flathead Valley by the state and federal environmental agency. Wardensky said agency officials told him the Flathead Valley was one of the only locations in the country that had three monitoring sites in such close proximity.  

He noted that grant funding related to the monitoring sites will not change.  

Flathead County Commissioners will hold a public hearing next week about decommissioning the stations located in Whitefish and Kalispell. The hearing will take place Aug. 18 at 10:30 a.m. inside the commissioner’s chambers, located at 800 South Main St. in room 302.  

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4440 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.