As of Thursday morning at 10am, the AQI for Bozeman was 161, which is considered unhealthy and particle pollution that can harm the heart and lungs.

Air Quality Index (AQI) levels can change rapidly but the Gallatin Valley, along with most of western Montana, has been hovering in or near dangerous levels for days.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:

  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
  • Keep outdoor activities short.
  • Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

According to the National Weather Service:

  • The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Custer, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Ravalli, Rosebud,
    Sanders, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Wheatland, and Yellowstone counties in effect until 9/18/2020 9 AM due to heavy wildfire smoke and elevated particulate concentrations.
  • This alert will be updated again at 9/18/2020 9 AM.
  • 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.
  • As of 9 AM, Particulate levels in Bozeman, Butte, Columbia Falls, Dillon, Frenchtown, Hamilton, Libby, Missoula, Seeley Lake, and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy.
  • As of 9 AM, Particulate levels in Birney, Helena, and West Yellowstone are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.
  • As of 9 AM, Particulate levels in Billings, Broadus, Cut Bank, Great Falls, Lewistown, Malta are Moderate.
Air Quality Map Sept 17
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