It is recognized that the air quality in the Seeley lake area is exceedingly bad. There are very limited opportunities to reduce firefighter exposure to smoke. The whole of Western Montana is currently a very strong ridge of high pressure, which has allowed for very little movement of smoke out of the area. Smoke has come into the area from other fires in Montana, Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. The whole of Western Montana is included in various air quality advisories.
The movement of the camp to a different location was explored. The movement of camp would have gained very little in the way of improved air quality. As the whole of Western Montana is included in various air quality advisories. It would have also increased driving exposure on a heavily travel highway, that is known for numerous motor vehicles accidents. |
