Missoula County, MT
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Scroll down or choose from the links below to learn more about wildfire particulate pollution health impacts and associated department action.Good Moderate Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Air Quality Category: Good |
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| Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5) |
Nowcast: 0-12 µg/m3 |
| Visibility Ranges | 13 Miles and up |
| Health Effects | None |
| Cautionary Statements | None |
| Department Action | None. |
Air Quality Category: Moderate |
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| Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5) | Nowcast: 12-34 µg/m3
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| Visibility Ranges | 9 to 13 Miles |
| Health Effects | Possible aggravation of heart and lung disease |
| Cautionary Statements | None |
| Department Action | None. |
Air Quality Category: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
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| Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5) | Nowcast: 35-55 |
| Visibility Ranges | 5 to 9 Miles |
| Health Effects | Increasing likelihood of symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature death in persons with cardiopulmonary disease, smokers and the elderly. |
| Cautionary Statements | People with heart or lung disease, smokers, children and the elderly should limit prolonged exposure. |
| Department Action. | Inform public of potential smoke impacts. Recommend student athletes with respiratory illness limit outdoor activity and have rescue inhalers readily available. |
Air Quality Category: Unhealthy |
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| Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5) | Nowcast: 56-150 µg/m3 |
| Visibility Ranges | 2.25 to 5 Miles |
| Health Effects | Increased aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature death in persons with cardiopulmonary disease, smokers and the elderly; increased respiratory effects in general population. |
| Cautionary Statements | People with heart or lung disease, smokers, children and the elderly should limit heavy or prolonged exertion and limit time spent outdoors. People with asthma should follow asthma management plan. People experiencing symptoms of heart or lung disease associated with smoke exposure should contact their health care provider. |
| Department Action. . | Inform public of potential smoke impacts. Recommend postponing/delaying outdoor sporting events, especially high exertion activities like soccer and track and field. If event/practice is held, recommend athletes with asthma or other respiratory illness not to participate. Everyone should limit outdoor activity. |
Air Quality Category: Very Unhealthy |
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| Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5) | Nowcast: 151-250 µg/m3 |
| Visibility Ranges | 1.25 to 2 Miles |
| Health Effects | Significant aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature death in persons with cardiopulmonary disease, smokers, and the elderly. Significant increase in respiratory effects in general population |
| Cautionary Statements | People with heart or lung disease, smokers, children and the elderly should avoid heavy or prolonged exertion and stay indoors when possible People with asthma should follow asthma management plan. People experiencing symptoms of heart or lung disease associated with smoke exposure should contact their health care provider. Everyone else should limit prolonged exertion and limit time spent outdoors |
| Department Action. |
Inform public of potential smoke impacts. Recommend no outdoor activity for persons under 18 |
Air Quality Category: Hazardous |
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| Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5) | Nowcast: 250+ µg/m3 |
| Visibility Ranges | 1.25 Miles or less |
| Health Effects | Serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease, smokers, and the elderly. Serious risk of respiratory effects in general population. |
| Cautionary Statements | People with heart or lung disease, smokers, children and the elderly should avoid any outdoor activity. People with asthma should follow asthma management plan. People experiencing symptoms of heart or lung disease associated with smoke exposure should contact their health care provider. Everyone else should avoid heavy and prolonged exertion and limit time spent outdoors. |
| Department Action |
Inform public of potential smoke impacts. Recommend no outdoor activity for persons under 18 |