As summer approaches, many of us are beginning to think about hiking, camping, fishing, and spending more time outdoors. Increasingly, however, we’re also paying attention to another factor that can shape our summer plans: wildfire smoke.

In recent years, smoke has become a regular part of life across Northwest Montana. It has limited outdoor recreation, reduced visibility, affected tourism, and increasingly disrupted youth sports and other outdoor activities. Many families have experienced practices canceled, games postponed, or events moved indoors because air quality conditions were simply too unhealthy.

That’s why Montana Wildfire Smoke Ready Week, held June 7–13, exists. Organized by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and community partners across the state, the week is focused on helping people prepare before smoke arrives rather than scrambling to respond after it does.

It’s also worth noting that spring and early summer are often prescribed fire seasons. Landowners, tribes, state agencies, and federal land managers use carefully planned burns to reduce excess vegetation and lower the risk of future catastrophic wildfires. While prescribed burns can produce temporary smoke impacts, they are generally smaller, shorter in duration, and far less severe than the smoke produced by large uncontrolled wildfires. In many cases, a little smoke now can help prevent much larger smoke events later.

While smoke affects everyone, it doesn’t affect everyone equally. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung conditions face greater health risks when air quality deteriorates. Many others don’t have the option of simply staying indoors, including outdoor workers, wildland firefighters, people experiencing homelessness, and those who may not have access to filtered indoor air.

So what exactly is it about wildfire smoke that makes it harmful?

When vegetation burns, it releases hundreds of different compounds into the air. Some are responsible for the familiar campfire smell and can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. The bigger concern comes from microscopic particles known as PM2.5. These particles are so small that dozens could fit across the width of a human hair. Because of their size, they can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.

Exposure to elevated levels of PM2.5 has been linked to increased asthma attacks, worsening COPD symptoms, reduced lung function, cardiovascular problems, and a greater risk of respiratory illness. In short, wildfire smoke is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a public health concern.

One common misconception is that simply being indoors provides protection from smoke. In reality, during significant smoke events, indoor air quality can become nearly as bad, or sometimes worse, than outdoor air quality if a home or building lacks adequate filtration. Smoke particles readily find their way indoors through doors, windows, vents, and small gaps in building envelopes. This is why improving indoor air quality through HEPA filtration and clean-air spaces has become such an important part of community preparedness.

The good news is that there are simple ways to stay informed and protect yourself when smoke arrives.

One of the easiest things you can do is monitor local air quality conditions. Montana’s Today’s Air website provides real-time monitoring data from stations across the state, while EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map combines information from official monitoring stations, temporary monitors, and PurpleAir sensors to provide a detailed picture of smoke conditions across the region. You can also access information on wildfires, HEPA filters, and other valuable resources at Montanawildfiresmoke.org. 

Even without a monitor nearby, visibility can tell you a lot. If you can’t see five miles, air quality is likely unhealthy. If visibility drops below two miles, conditions are considered very unhealthy.

Many residents also choose to install a low-cost air quality monitor at home. While these sensors aren’t perfect, they can be very effective at tracking changes in local conditions and helping families decide when it’s time to close windows, run air filters, or limit outdoor activity.

At Climate Smart Glacier, we believe preparation is one of the most effective tools we have. Wildfire smoke will continue to be a reality in Northwest Montana, but with a little planning and awareness, we can reduce its impacts and better protect ourselves, our families, and our community.