UPDATE: DEQ lifts air quality advisory

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality lifted an advisory Monday morning after weekend rain showers improved air quality in places like Elmore County.

Potentially hazardous air quality levels across eight southern counties prompted the DEQ to issue a burn ban Friday afternoon.

The Stage 1 air quality advisory initially affected Elmore County as well as Ada, Boise, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington counties and was originally expected to remain in place until Monday afternoon.

As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, air quality at the Mountain Home Airport remained in the lower end of the yellow, or moderate, category. Pollutants in the air were averaging 14.7 micrograms per cubic feet of air over a 24-hour period.

As of Friday afternoon, air quality levels at the city airport had fallen into the orange category. This meant the outside air was potentially hazardous to those with respiratory or heart disease. According to information from the DEQ, elderly residents and children were advised to avoid prolonged exertion while outdoors until the air quality improved.

For more information, go online to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's web site at www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/current-wildfire-smoke-info.aspx.

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