Great Falls, MT – Air quality across eastern Montana is being impacted by wildfire smoke, prompting state environmental officials to issue a public health alert.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued an Air Quality Alert in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday for Blaine, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Hill, McCone, Phillips, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley, and Wibaux counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Great Falls, the alert was relayed Wednesday morning after elevated levels of wildfire smoke pushed particulate matter to unhealthy levels in several locations, including Malta and Sidney. The DEQ warned that air quality in these areas has already exceeded, or is expected to exceed, the 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).
When air quality is classified as “Unhealthy,” officials recommend that sensitive groups—such as the elderly, children, and individuals with heart or respiratory conditions—avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. All residents are advised to limit extended time outdoors as conditions may worsen.
This alert will be updated at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 12. Residents are encouraged to monitor air quality levels and take appropriate precautions.
For the latest updates, visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us.
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