BOISE, Idaho — Extreme temperatures combined with unhealthy air are creating a potentially dangerous situation for people in the Treasure Valley.
"It's pretty horrendous right now," said Dr. Wesley Pidcock, Saint Alphonsus pulmonary critical care physician.
Smoke continues rolling in from wildfires in Eastern Oregon, including the Durkee Fire, which has burned hundreds of thousands of acres so far.
For much of Tuesday, data compiled by the federal government showed air quality in and around the Treasure Valley as "very unhealthy."
David Luft, Idaho Department of Environment Quality, said everyone should stay indoors at that level.
He called the smoky air the worst he can remember in more than a decade.
"I don't think we've had a time when we've stayed [very unhealthy] or the very unhealthy category for this long," he said. "Generally, it's just limited. An hour here, an hour there."
Around 8 p.m., air quality started dropping to "unhealthy" and "unhealthy for sensitive groups."
Pidcock said everyone should stay indoors when the air quality is "unhealthy," though seniors, children and people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
It's terrible for your lungs," he said. "It can make it hard to breathe; it can cause coughing ... irritate your nasal passages, your eyes. Poor air quality can lead to exacerbations with underlying disease states, and it can also lead to higher rates of hospitalizations."
Luft said forecasts show air quality will improve over the next few days. However, he said Tuesday turned out much worse than predicted.
People should call a doctor or go to urgent care if they have trouble breathing, Pidcock said. If they are more sensitive, he recommends having a clean room with A/C and a portable air filter since smoke can seep indoors.