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Air Quality Alert for parts of Montana

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The City of Great Falls announced on Monday, July 22, 2024, that due to poor air quality levels, the Electric City Water Park, Jaycee Pool, and Water Tower pool have been closed for the day.

Air quality was rated as "unhealthy" in Great Falls on Monday due to smoke blowing in from wildfires in other parts of Montana, Idaho, and beyond.

That means some people may experience negative health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Air Quality across Montana (Monday, July 22, 2024)
Air Quality across Montana (Monday, July 22, 2024)

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality reports that air quality is listed as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" as of mid-day on Monday in several other Montana towns, including Cut Bank, Choteau, and Missoula.

An Air Quality Alert is in effect for much of Montana through at least 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

Air Quality Alert (July 22 2024)

The Great Falls Park & Recreation Department will post updates daily on its Facebook page about any closures.

Here are the color-coded classifications of air quality:

  • MAROON: Hazardous - Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected.
  • PURPLE: Very Unhealthy - health alert - the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
  • RED: Unhealthy - some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
  • ORANGE: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups - members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
  • YELLOW: Moderate - air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
  • GREEN: Good - air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.