Haze from wildfires remains

While air quality has improved in the Clearwater Valley the last two days, there is still a haze that reminds people that numerous wildfires are still burning in the region.

While there are several agencies responsible for wildfire suppression and management in the area, there are two agencies that issue burn bans and air quality advisories depending on the amount of particulates in the air.

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has three monitors in the region, according to Clayton Steele. They are in Lewiston, Moscow and Grangeville. The monitors have TEOM (Tapered Elemental Oscillating Microbalance). In addition to the monitors, they also review meteorology for the area to see how it might impact the air quality situation.

DEQ issues burn bans and air quality advisories according to a scale that outlines the different ranges for the air quality. During the last few weeks, the worst level that air quality reached was at 170 which is "Unhealthy" and everyone is advised to limit exertion.

More particular to Orofino and other areas on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, is the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) Air Quality Project authorized by Federal Air Rules for Reservations. The project has monitors in Kamiah, Lapwai and Reubens. In addition, they have two portable air samplers. One will be placed in Orofino and they are in process of determining where to put the other, according to Andrea Boyer. She said the portable samplers will be in place by the next burn season.

In addition to the monitors, NPT receives information twice a day from a meteorologist that they share with the Idaho Department of Agriculture and data gathered from web sites to determine what the situation may be. They also field complaints about air quality from citizens.

Boyer said that if the level reaches 40, they have the authority to issue a burn ban. They may also do so if the level is not quite that high, but forecasts indicate it will be by the end of the day. They can also issue an "Air Stagnation Advisory" as they did last Friday.

In addition to the burn bans and advisories, the Air Quality Project issues permits for open burning on the Nez Perce Reservation. These permits are issued in addition to those issued by other agencies responsible for fire suppression and safety. Their decisions are dependant on air quality factors.