It feels like we’ve been living under a blanket of smoke for the past week or more. The Flathead Valley has been dealing with persistent smoke, much of it drifting in from significant wildfires in Washington and Oregon. Several fires in and around Spokane have burned homes, cars and other structures, adding another concern to an already difficult fire season. When homes, vehicles and other structures burn, the smoke contains a much more complex mix of pollutants than smoke from vegetation alone.

We’re also seeing smoke from closer to home. The Skillet Fire, south west of Olney, has burned more than 3,000 acres and is contributing to the smoke we’re experiencing locally.

With smoke expected to remain a part of the picture, it’s a good time for a reminder: wildfire smoke can affect your health even when the fire is hundreds of miles away, and going indoors doesn’t necessarily mean you’re breathing clean air. During periods of heavy smoke, indoor air can become nearly as polluted as outdoor air if your home or building does not have adequate filtration.

The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure. Below are resources to help you understand current air quality, protect yourself and your family, and create cleaner indoor air when smoke settles into the valley.

Resources to understand air quality 

~Knowing the air quality around you is the first step, this purple air site has a number of local air monitors you can check to find an air quality ready closest to you.

~ Know where the smoke is coming from and going by checking out this map at fire.airnow.gov

~ Wildfire Smoke forecast is another excellent resource to understand what’s in store for the next day, provided by DEQ.

Resources to help create clean indoor air

~ Replace your furnace filter with a MERV 13 or higher filter. MERV 13 filters out the PM2.5 particulate that is present in wildfire smoke and is so dangerous.

~ Purchase or build a stand alone HEPA filter for your indoor space. Here is a link to an article explaining how to build a DIY Box Fan HEPA filter. These are quick, easy, and affordable. 

~ HEPA filter buying guide –

• The key is to ensure the HEPA filter filters out PM2.5
• Check on what it will cost to replace the HEPA filter and how long they typically last
• Avoid plasma wave and ionizing/ozone producing products or find units where these features can be turned off. Many sites suggest these can do more harm then good.
• Ensure the unit is large enough to clean your indoor space.

Another all around great resource is montanawildfiresmoke.org.

Or learn about our new Clean Air Centers, Columbia Falls Community Center, Whitefish Library, and Gateway Community Center, here in the valley here. These are open to the public during normal business hours and are working to provide the cleanest air possible to anyone that needs a break from the heat and smoke.