Air quality improves as fires continue to grow

Air quality in the Lewiston area improved slightly Sunday in spite of wildfires that continued to grow overnight.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports had Lewiston hovering between the second and third levels of a six-level scale used to measure air pollution. Those relatively moderate readings replaced Saturday's thick haze that was unhealthy for all people, not just those sensitive to smoke.

Conditions are expected to improve today, according to the agency. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Nez Perce Tribe have issued air quality alerts that stand through Wednesday, however.

The Hanover Fire five miles southwest of the Square Mountain Lookout in the Gospel Hump Wilderness, grew to 4,479 acres by Sunday moring, up from 3,139 acres Saturday. The lightning-caused fire is 0 percent contained and burning through steep terrain with hundreds of dead lodgepole pines that can be hazardous to firefighters, according to U.S. Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist Jeannette Dreadfulwater.

The Hidden Fire in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness stood at 2,392 acres Sunday morning, an increase of 270 acres. The Moose Creek 1 Fire in the Moose Creek Ranger District grew by 299 acres to 5,888 acres. Other area wildfires saw minimal growth.