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Montana › Missoula County

Lolo National Forest

Air Quality Alert issued August 9 at 1:47PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

August 9th, 2:47 PM — 3:00 PM

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in Coeur d'Alene ...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY FROM THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah Counties... * WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah Counties... * WHEN...Next update 11 AM August 11th. * IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Air Quality Alert issued August 9 at 8:15AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

August 9th, 8:15 AM — 9:00 AM

AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow counties in effect until 9AM on 08/10/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls are Very Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Dillon, Libby and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Butte, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Cut Bank, Frenchtown, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Malta and Missoula are Moderate. When air quality is Very Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us

Air Quality Alert issued August 7 at 11:56AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

August 7th, 11:56 AM — 3:00 PM

AQAMSO WHAT: Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. WHERE... Clearwater and Idaho Counties outside of reservation boundaries. WHEN: Extended until 3:00PM 8/10/2026 IMPACTS: Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: Air pollutants can cause breathing difficult for children, the elderly, as well as persons with respiratory problems. Those individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate matter or smoke are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory. Open burning is prohibited by air quality rule. It is also recommended that all other individuals limit prolonged or strenuous activity outdoors. ISSUED BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AIR QUALITY GROUP. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DEQ's Lewiston Regional Office at (208) 799- 4370

Overview

Lolo National Forest spans 2.3 million acres in western Montana, surrounding Missoula and bordered by Idaho to the west. The forest is currently open and accessible for recreation, though several localized closures are in effect as of December 2025. Recent weather events have caused damage to Ward Creek Road and Deer Creek Bridge on the Superior Ranger District, which are currently closed for public safety. The Stony Creek Cutoff Road (Road #5490) is also closed, and a portion of Plant Creek Road remains closed due to damage from the Miller Peak Fire. Fire danger is currently low (winter conditions), with no forest-wide fire restrictions in place. The forest is home to both black and grizzly bears, and mandatory food storage orders are in effect forest-wide—all food and attractants must be stored in bear-resistant containers or in a bear-resistant manner when unattended. The forest is undergoing Land Management Plan Revision, and the Wildfire Adapted Missoula (WAM) fuels management project is actively being implemented. Christmas tree permits are currently available for purchase online or at ranger stations. Several rental cabins and historic lookouts are available year-round. Always check current conditions, road status, and alerts before your trip as conditions can change rapidly.

Campgrounds

Bend Guard Station Bend Wc Cabin Rental Big Hole Lookout Big Horn Big Larch Campground Complex Big Nelson Cg Complex Bitterroot Flat Campground Cabin City Campground Cascade Campground And Trailhead Clark Memorial Campground Clearwater Crossing Cg Copper King Campground Cougar Peak Lookout DIAMOND LAKE CAMPGROUND Dalles Campground Deer Creek Campground Double Arrow Lookout Earl Tennant Campground Fishtrap Lake Campground Gold Rush Campground And Trailhead Grizzly Campground HIDDEN LAKE CAMPGROUND Harry's Flat Campground Hogback Homestead Kreis Pond Picnic Site LAKESIDE GROUP CAMPING SITE #3 Lake Alva Campground Lake Inez Point 6

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