(Update 3:10 p.m): Smoke from out of area wildfires affecting Pennington County

(3:10 p.m. Update)

Pennington County Air Quality Precautions

Smoke from out of area wildfires affecting Pennington County

            Pennington County residents are breathing and seeing smoke in the outside air today from wildfires burning in other parts of the United States and Canada. This is not smoke from local fires and is expected to continue in northeast Wyoming and western South Dakota along with the cold front passing through tomorrow afternoon, September 6. Smoke from fires can smell different depending on how it is lifted up into the atmosphere and how it combines with the UV radiation from the sun. The smoke we are experiencing has a different chemical makeup and smells different than other wildfire smoke we typically experience. While this is not any more dangerous than regular wildfire smoke, neither is good for respiratory health. Individuals can visit the Fire and Smoke Map at www.fire.airnow.gov to view areas that are currently affected by smoke and experiencing reduced air quality.

            The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends paying attention to the Air Quality Index (AQI), especially if you fall into a high-risk category. The AQI tool is a free tool you can access online by visiting www.airnow.gov/aqi/. Enter your zip code and click on the red AQI button to the right. Most of Pennington County currently shows our area in the “unhealthy” category with an AQI of 170.

         Those in the high-risk category who need to be especially alert to air quality include:

• Children
• Those who are pregnant
• Individuals with asthma, COPD, and heart disease

        Recommended Actions:

• Stay inside as much as possible.
• Keep windows and doors closed or use a portable air filtration unit.
• Contact your health provider if you are having trouble breathing, shortness of breath, a cough that won’t stop, heart palpitations, unusual fatigue, or other air quality-related symptoms.

         Be AIR Aware and check the current outside air quality before you plan to spend time outside. 

***

(2:30 p.m. Update)

STATE DANR and DOH Announce Air Quality Alert for South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) issued an air quality alert for areas across South Dakota where smoke from wildfires is forecasted to settle this week. The smoke may cause low visibility and increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) advises that these levels may be a concern to public health and provides additional resources to make an informed decision on personal healthcare choices.

         The alert is in effect through Thursday, September 7, 2023, or until conditions improve.

         Elderly citizens, young children, and individuals with respiratory problems are the most susceptible to the smoke. All people should avoid excessive physical exertion and minimize outdoor activities during periods of low visibility caused by the wildfire smoke.  People are also encouraged to keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors.

          Air pollution can aggravate heart and cardiovascular disease as well as lung diseases like asthma and COPD. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or fatigue. Anyone concerned about health effects related to poor air quality should contact their health care provider.

        DANR provides air quality data on the department’s website for several locations in South Dakota. Hourly PM2.5 values greater than 35 microgram per cubic meter (ug/m3) are a concern to public health.

        Individuals may track the real time PM2.5 concentrations by visiting DANR’s website at https://denravweb.sd.gov/AirVision/default.aspx or EPA’s website at https://www.airnow.gov/.

        An explanation of the air quality index levels and their meaning can be found at https://danr.sd.gov/Environment/AirQuality/AirMonitoring/RealTimeData.aspx.

        For an easy-to-use outdoor activity and air quality guide created by the EPA and CDC visit https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2018-09/air-quality-and-outdoor-activity-guidance-2014.pdf.

***

AIR QUALITY INDEX REFLECTS

UNHEALTHY AIR CONDITIONS IN RAPID CITY

RAPID CITY, SD—Wildfire smoke continues to embrace the Rapid City region today. City officials remind the public of a City website feature that monitors daily and hourly air quality conditions in Rapid City and everywhere in the nation.

            At 12:30 p.m., the Air Quality Index reflected a reading of 168. The Air Quality Index provides a reading from 0-500 with a reading between 150 and 200 designated as ‘unhealthy’.

             With an ‘unhealthy’ designation, viewers on the national site are provided the following advisory: people with heart and lung disease, older adults, children and teens advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep outdoor activities short in duration and consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling the activity.  Everyone else is advised to choose less strenuous activities, shorten the amount of time of the outdoor activity or be active outdoors when the air quality is better.

            The ‘Air Quality Index’ link has been on the City’s website since 2021 and can be found at two locations on the City’s home page at www.rcgov.org – in the Community Bookmark and ‘What’s News In The City’ sections.  Visitors are taken to AirNow, a one-stop source for air quality data.  AirNow reports air quality using the official US Air Quality Index (AQI).  AirNow is a partnership of the US Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control and tribal, state and local air quality agencies.

            As of 12:30 p.m., a wind advisory was in effect for the Rapid City area.  No official air quality alert has been issued for the area.

            For Rapid City, the Air Quality Index displays a color-coded scale from 0-500, ranging from good to hazardous designations.  The scale is used to communicate the air quality for the Rapid City area and anywhere in the country.  Other features of the page include a color-coded map matching the color scale to show the air quality of the region.  The Air Quality Index displays the current air quality and is updated hourly.  It also includes any pollutants that may be impacting the air quality index and a recommendation or advisory on outdoor activities given the current air quality.