Boise Endures Summer of Wildfire Smoke Amid Active Fire Season
Boise, Idaho, experienced a prolonged period of wildfire smoke this summer, with air quality reaching unhealthy levels for nearly two weeks in late July (The Arbiter). The smoke originated from wildfires burning hundreds of miles away in Oregon and other parts of the Pacific Northwest, carried into the Treasure Valley by prevailing westerly winds. According to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, as of August 26, 2026, nearly 51,300 wildfires had burned over 7.9 million acres nationwide, a figure 65% above the 10-year average. Idaho's snowpack, which was 60% to 75% below normal as early as March, contributed to drier conditions, making vegetation more susceptible to fires. Cooler temperatures and rain in September have since improved air quality, but officials warn that the wildfire season could extend into late September due to ongoing dry conditions.
