JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — A hazy smoke in the valley has prompted an air quality alert, into effect now through Sunday.
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, and the Wyoming Department of Health announced the warning for wildfire smoke. The alert covers much of northwest and western Wyoming including Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
Wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest will impact northwest and western Wyoming. Visibilities may be reduced at times.
The Wyoming Department of Health recommends that the elderly, young children, and individuals with respiratory problems avoid excessive physical exertion and minimize outdoor activities during this time. Wildfire smoke is made up of a variety of pollutants, including particulate matter and ozone, which can cause respiratory health effects. Although these people are most susceptible to health impacts, the Department of Health also advises that everyone should avoid prolonged exposure to poor air quality conditions.
Wildfire smoke can travel great distances. With wind speeds elevated these past two days, smoke from nearby fires west of Wyoming is showing up in the valley.
The 28,000-acre Bootleg Fire near the Sprague River in Oregon, along with the Sugar Fire (California-Nevada border), the Robertson Draw Fire (Wyoming-Montana border), and several fires near Lewiston, Idaho may all be responsible, in part, to smoke conditions in Jackson Hole.
