The Treasure Valley woke up to the familiar smell of wildfire smoke Thursday morning, bringing residents back from their hopes of a smoke-free summer.
Idaho’s fire season got off to a slow start, but now the overgrown grasses from our wet spring are facing the summer heat.
“Now we’re seeing hot and dry temperatures that we think will continue over the next few weeks,” says Jessica Gardetto, a spokesperson at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. “Those hot and dry temperatures are going to dry out those grasses and fuels and then create fuel for potential wildfires.”
All of this means smoke may only get worse. Austin Walkins of the Idaho Conservation League agrees.
“The haze is kind of settling in and I’m thrilled that it’s taken this long to get here,” Walkins says, “but I’m nervous for the next few weeks.”
Both Gardetto and Walkins suggest limiting time outside if you know you are particularly sensitive to smoky skies. You can track air quality online at airnow.gov.
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