EBS STAFF
Wind gusts this afternoon will continue to move smoke into southwest Montana and increase active fire activity in the region.
According to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Bozeman has a current AQI of 109, meaning the air quality is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” For the next several days, surface smoke will decrease during breezy afternoons and pool in valleys as the wind dies down after sunset.
Showers are possible on Friday evening and during the weekend, but Montana is not expected to get widespread soaking rains. The DEQ’s prediction model shows high surface smoke concentrations across the state by midday tomorrow.
Smoke is visible throughout southwest Montana from large wildfires in Idaho, including the Wapiti Fire near Stanley, currently at 127,043 acres and 80% contained, and the Lava Fire near Cascade, currently at 97,567 acres and 90% contained.
