Montana's summers are becoming hotter and drier, growing the risk of wildfires and accompanying smoke. As forest and grassland fires increase in size and severity,  and as the wildfire season lengthens, the amount of wildfire smoke increases too. Smoke can settle in Montana communities from local fires, from nearby states like Idaho, and even as far as Washington, California, and Canada. Visit the pages of this site to find out more about the health risks of smoke, current smoke levels in your area, and what you can do to stay healthy.

Scroll down for 2 short videos:

• Prepare for smoke
• Be smart about health risks

 Why does this matter in 2020? COVID + SMOke = extreme concerns!

Health experts agree that wildfire smoke exacerbates respiratory disease. Amidst this pandemic, the connection between smoke exposure, respiratory disease, and COVID-19 creates a dangerous intersection. At this juncture we all need to work to provide clean indoor air for those most at risk in order to reduce respiratory infection, protect health, and save lives. Recent studies have shown that health impacts from smoke exposure extend months or even years after smoke has dissipated, highlighting the need for interventions.  A hot and dry summer is forecasted for Montana and much of the west.  We're working to provide updated information on this website - see our new COVID-19 page - and to raise funds to secure HEPA Portable Air Cleaners and new filter/boxfan combo options.  If you can support this work, contact us here.

Health risks

AIr quality

Finding Clean Air

Wildfire smoke contains pollutants that are harmful to our health. These pollutants can exacerbate other health risks including viruses like COVID-19. Learn more about the health effects of smoke and its impacts on everyone, including certain groups of people on the ​health risks page.

Stay up to date on the smoke levels in your area with information from the ​today's air page. Accurate air quality maps and forecasts can help you be smart as you adjust your activities and help you get outside during the healthiest times of the day.

There are many ways to reduce your health risks during periods of wildfire smoke, including various home fixes, using a HEPA portable air cleaner, and more. ​Learn about how to breathe clean and stay healthy during smoke events on the clean indoor air page. 

View our short animated videos

Prepare for Wildfire Smoke: what to do when conditions become severe

Be Smart: health effects of severe wildfire smoke

Learn about the risks of breathing wildfire smoke and how you can prepare in order to stay healthy. Downloadable versions here and here.

Our climate is changing and we're seeing hotter and dryer summers, resulting in means longer and more intense fire seasons, and more smoke. Visit The Science page to learn more about our changing climate, and the reasons to prepare for and address wildfire smoke as a public health issue.

 adapting our communities to promote health & resiliency

Montana has a unique landscape with populated mountain valleys and dense forests covering much of the western half of the state. With longer, hotter fire seasons, wildfire smoke will settle in our mountain valleys more frequently and for longer periods of time.  Can you work with local government and leaders in your community to begin planning and acting today?

There are multiple ways for Montana communities to prepare for and adapt to changing fire seasons. Wildfire smoke is a public health issue, and strategies such as utilizing portable air cleaners and smarter building design can help people stay healthy and cool.  There are other risks from climate change that we in Montana need to understand and build strategies to address. And we need to work together reduce the root cause by reducing carbon pollution!