Winter weather conditions have trapped air pollution near the ground.
Much of the pollution contains fine particles from burning wood. Those fine particles can cause lung and heart damage. The conditions have led to temporary bans on wood burning stoves and outdoor fires.
Michael Toole with Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality says people can protect themselves from the pollution by staying indoors. We do recommend that anyone included in the sensitive group whether they be children, elderly or those with already compromised respiratory systems or cardiac issues to limit their exposure outside especially during the morning or evening hours when pollution levels can be higher.”
Air pollution levels have reached unhealthy levels in Idaho’s Pocatello and Treasure Valley regions, Washington state’s Stevens, Pierce and Snohomish counties, and in Oregon’s Oakridge, Klamath Falls and Lakeview areas.