BOZEMAN, Mont. — Smoke hanging over Bozeman brought hazy skies to Burke Park as wildfire impacts continued across Montana.
NonStop Local went to ask people how they were handling the smoke.
"We've commented on there being haze and had discussions about what the heck haze was versus smoke. So anyway, yeah, but not really affected," said Chris Volpe, a visitor from Florida.
"It's been a little hard. We wanted to see some mountain ranges, and it's — you gotta really squint to see the skyline," said two visitors from Milwaukee. "I went on a run up here this morning and I was having a little hard of heart. Yeah, it was a little higher elevation and more smoke impacts, but still worth it."
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality said Bozeman's air quality was at a moderate level. The agency also reported worse conditions in western Montana.
"We're downwind of many states who are experiencing a really big fire season and that will continue to produce impacts for Montanans in the days and weeks ahead," said Aaron Ofseyer, a Montana DEQ air quality meteorologist.
Cities and towns in Northwest Montana have been impacted with smoke from the Spokane wildfires, he added.
State health and environmental officials said children, pregnant women, older adults and people with chronic health conditions face higher risks from smoky air.
"Research over the past several years has shown those emergency department visits and hospitalizations can go up when that air quality gets to more of that unhealthy and severe kind of range," said BJ Biskupiak of the Montana DPHHS Asthma Control Program.
Biskupiak said people in those groups should make a plan with their health care provider on how they can protect themselves. Those who are able to stay indoors should consider it, he said.
"More evidence shows that that indoor air can be just as bad as outside, or even worse, because it gets trapped in that environment, and it takes much longer for that to kind of clean and dissipate," said Biskupiak.
DPHHS recommends keeping windows and doors closed, maintaining home air filters, and staying hydrated. HEPA air purifiers can also be effective tools for keeping indoor air clean, if they are made for the correct size of the room they're put in.
The EPA also has directions on how to make a cheap air purifier using a box fan and air filters.
Biskupiak recommends at-risk individuals consider talking with their doctor to see if wearing an N-95 mask while outside is a safe option to stay protected.
The DEQ regularly updates its statewide air quality map, so Montanans can keep up with conditions in their area. The department also regularly updates its smoke forecast. Ofseyer said he would not be surprised if they had to extend Monday's air quality alerts.
"Air quality fluctuates rapidly depending on the time of day, depending on the weather. And so,it's critically important that Montanans have up to date and actionable air quality that they can rely on," Ofseyer said.