In Idaho, nearly half a million acres have been ravaged by wildfires, with over a dozen blazes burning across the state. The Boise National Forest has seen fires burning more than 350,000 acres, while the Red Rock fire near Salmon has scorched nearly 70,000 acres. Both fires were ignited by lightning strikes and are currently being battled by more than 600 personnel. The Garden Fire, also in the region, has burned nearly 10,000 acres but has no containment at this time.
Efforts to contain the fires involve firefighters burning areas near forest roads to prevent further fuel for the fires and building fire lines with dozers. While fire conditions are expected to be calmer over the weekend due to cooler temperatures, smoke from the fires has led to “very unhealthy” air quality levels in the affected areas. This has prompted state officials to issue an air quality advisory through early next week, warning against prolonged outdoor activity due to respiratory issues that the smoke may cause, especially for children, the elderly, and those with breathing problems. Despite the potential benefits of the smoke in shading and keeping temperatures lower, the impact on air quality remains a concern. Overall, firefighting efforts are ongoing, with a focus on containment and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in the affected regions.
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