Gallatin County: Air Quality Alert Through Wednesday Morning

Monday's air was dangerous. Tuesday's air is not much better. With Bozeman AQI's ranging from 110s to 160s, be very careful with your outdoor activities and how much of the outdoor air you allow inside your home.

Labor Day Monday was incredibly smoky with very hazy skies and Bozeman's AQI hovering in the low 160s by early afternoon. Those are dangerous air quality levels any ANYONE, not just sensitive people.

According to the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency:

• WHAT: AN AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT.
• WHERE: The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Gallatin, Madison and Silver Bow counties
• WHEN: This Air Quality Alert is in effect until 9:00 AM Wednesday, 9/8/2021.
• "An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedence of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future."
• As of 9:30 AM Tuesday, particulate levels in Dillon and West Yellowstone are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
• As of 9:30 AM Tuesday, particulate levels in Hamilton, Billings, Missoula, Red Lodge, Libby, Lewistown, Great Falls, Birney, Thompson Falls, Frenchtown, Bozeman, and Helena are Moderate.
• When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion.
• When air quality is Moderate: State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
• For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at Todaysair.mt.gov