Wildfire Smoke Pushes Boise Air Quality to 'Very Unhealthy' Levels
Wildfire smoke has caused air quality in Boise and much of Idaho to reach 'very unhealthy' levels this week, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 200 in some areas, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (Idaho Capital Sun, 2026-07-29). This level of air pollution poses health risks to everyone, not just sensitive groups. The smoke is primarily originating from grass and shrub fires in Oregon, which are contributing to the poor air quality in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has issued air quality advisories for 35 of the state’s 44 counties, including Ada, Canyon, Boise, and Blaine counties. These advisories prohibit all outdoor burning, including campfires and residential burning.