Aug. 6, 2026: Wildfire Smoke Air Quality Update

The current air quality in Frenchtown, Seeley Lake and most of Missoula County is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.  Lolo has Moderate air quality. See current air quality conditions at Fire.AirNow.Gov.

When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups  or Orange on the Air Quality Index, sensitive groups should limit their exposure to the smoke/PM2.5 in the air. But in reality, smoke affects everyone and even if you’re not considered a sensitive group, you may still feel those health impacts when it’s orange. The term Sensitive Groups is a catchall for those likely to have a higher sensitivity to air pollution. It includes but isn’t limited to people with heart or lung disease, older adults (65+), children under the age of 18 (especially younger children), pregnant persons, people with preexisting conditions or chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, and people living outdoors. 

Here’s how you can reduce your exposure throughout your day:

• Go to a place with clean indoor air or create one at home/work.
• Reduce duration and intensity of outdoor activity, especially strenuous activity
• Wear a well fitted N95 or KN95 mask (great for chill outdoor activities like walking, watering your garden, mowing, etc.)
• Run vehicle A/C on recirculate instead of pulling smoky outside air into the car

Wildfire smoke continues to impact Missoula County and western Montana primarily from fires in Washington. Yesterday afternoon, fires exhibited active behavior and sent up heavy smoke plumes that are being carried on northwesterly transport winds towards northwestern Montana. Fires become more active in the afternoon as temperatures rise, relative humidity drops, and wind increases. The satellite imagery from last night shows large plumes of smoke from fires burning across the west. Check out regional fire information at Inciweb.wildfire.gov. 

GOES West Satellite imagery

Throughout the night, smoke from active fires in Washington spread out across the west forming a bit of a blanket. As smoke settles into our valleys overnight, air quality will worsen. Mornings may have worse air quality than the evenings. As mixing improves throughout the day, this smoke will lift. Expect this diurnal trend to continue.

GOES West Satellite imagery

Going into Friday, transport winds shift more slightly more southwesterly which will carry smoke from fires in Oregon towards western Montana and Washington smoke towards northwestern Montana. Throughout the weekend, transport winds will shift between westerly and southwesterly carrying smoke from both Oregon and Washington. The amount of smoke truly depends on how active those fires are.

With the Very High fire danger, Stage 2 fire restrictions are now in effect in the City of Missoula and Lolo National Forest; Ravalli and Missoula Counties are going into Stage 2 restrictions on Friday.

Stage 2 Fire restrictions mean that the following activities are prohibited:

• Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• From 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.: operating any internal combustion engine, welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame, or using explosives.
• Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

We all must do our part to prevent human-caused wildfires. Mushu, your local air quali-kitty, is planning to opt for huckleberries this weekend instead of roasting marshmallows… something to look forward to this fall I guess!