How Long Will Smokey Skies Linger in Montana?

The air quality in the Bitterroot Valley was “Unhealthy” Thursday Sept 8. The air is measured at a site in downtown Hamilton by the folks at Ravalli County Environmental Health. They expect the unhealthy levels will continue for at least another week, since the weather pattern shows no sign of changing.
There are two higher levels of warning – Very Unhealthy and Hazardous. It’s hoped that those levels will not be reached during this fire season.
With the current smoke pollution, people with respiratory or heart disease should try to stay inside as much as possible. And if you have a place with air conditioning and good filters, go there.
For a quick look at “real time” conditions, go to the statewide website todaysair.mt.gov and click on Missoula and/or Hamilton.
The Ravalli County Air Quality Hotline is a recorded announcement at 406 375-6577.