"Breathe Easy: How Montana’s Health Professionals Are Battling Poor Air Quality and Protecting Our Communities"
Montana’s Air Quality Crisis: Health Professionals Respond to Increasing Wildfire Smoke
Photo by: Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate
Montana is grappling with a significant decline in air quality, as highlighted in the latest State of the Air Report from the American Lung Association. The report reveals a troubling trend: the state has seen a dramatic increase in areas receiving failing grades for air quality, with the term "smoke season" becoming a part of everyday vernacular. This alarming shift has prompted health professionals across Montana to implement air quality flag programs aimed at alerting residents to hazardous conditions.
A Worsening Situation
The American Lung Association’s grading system for particulate pollution shows a stark decline in Montana’s air quality. In 2022, the state had eight counties receiving failing grades (Fs), three with Ds, two with Cs, and only one county, Richland, achieving a B. By 2025, the situation had deteriorated further, with all counties except Richland now receiving Fs, and Richland dropping to a C. This decline aligns with predictions from the Montana Climate Assessment of 2017, which forecasted more intense droughts and increased wildfire frequency due to climate change.
Marian Kummer, a retired pediatrician who has lived in Montana since 1981, reflects on the changing landscape. “When I practiced in Billings, there was not much wildfire smoke concern,” she recalls. “Now the wildfire smoke season is longer and seems more intense.” Kummer, who retired to Big Sky in 2019, has invested in air purifiers and monitors for her home, but the recent diagnosis of her husband’s lung disease raises concerns about their ability to remain in an area plagued by smoke.
Health Implications of Poor Air Quality
The health risks associated with poor air quality are substantial. Marcy Ballman, Division Director of the American Lung Association, explains that microscopic particles from wood smoke can irritate the lungs and exacerbate conditions like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). “Some of the tiniest particles can even pass through our lungs into our bloodstream and impact our heart and brain health,” she warns.
The air quality flag programs aim to mitigate these risks by providing real-time updates on air quality conditions. Jenny Ellis, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Butte-Silver Bow Health Department, monitors air quality and communicates hazardous conditions using colored flags that correspond to the EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI). The flags range from green (good) to purple (hazardous), and residents are encouraged to take precautions when the flags indicate poor air quality.
Community Engagement and Preparedness
Ellis, who has lived in Montana her entire life, recalls her first experience with poor air quality during the summer of 2001. “I remember that year vividly; we were kept indoors, and the sunsets were eerily dark orange,” she says. Her role now involves educating the community about the health impacts of wildfire smoke and preparing for smoke events.
The Butte-Silver Bow Health Department has also launched an Air Purifier Loan Out Program, prioritizing vulnerable populations such as older adults, children, and pregnant individuals. Despite the smoke season not yet arriving, 41 of the 45 available units have already been distributed, highlighting the urgent need for clean air solutions.
Environmental Justice Concerns
The American Lung Association’s report underscores a critical issue: people of color are 2.3 times more likely than white individuals to live in counties with poor air quality. This raises significant environmental justice and health equity concerns. Ellis notes that Butte’s aging infrastructure complicates efforts to improve air quality, as many buildings lack modern HVAC systems capable of filtering smoke.
The Role of Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers like Dr. Allison Young, who moved to Montana in 2010, are witnessing firsthand the impact of wildfire smoke on their patients. “Each year, I care for kids who experience exacerbations of asthma due to wildfire smoke,” she says. Young has implemented air quality flag programs at her pediatric clinic and her daughter’s school to foster awareness and discussion about air quality among families.
Pediatric nurse practitioner Lynne Foss emphasizes the broader implications of poor air quality on family dynamics and job security. “When kids can’t go outside or are sick more often, it affects everyone,” she notes. Foss encourages families to invest in HEPA air filters to improve indoor air quality.
Looking Ahead
As Montana faces an increasingly challenging air quality landscape, health professionals are committed to raising awareness and providing resources to protect vulnerable populations. For more information on wildfire smoke and health, residents can visit the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department’s wildfire smoke information page here and access additional resources on clean indoor air here.
Photo by: Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate
About the Author
Melody Irvine, Media Coordinator, Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate
Additional Resources