AIR QUALITY ALERT: Numerous local cities including Pocatello, Blackfoot and American Falls under air quality advisory due to unhealthy conditions created by wildfire smoke

An air quality alert has been issued for several local counties because of wildfire smoke.

Bannock, Power, Bingham, Butte, Cassia and Minidoka counties are all under the air quality advisory due to wildfire smoke creating unhealthy conditions, especially for children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory issues. The areas under the advisory include Pocatello, Chubbuck, McCammon, Arimo, Inkom, Downey, Lava Hot Springs, Blackfoot, Shelley, Firth, Fort Hall, Aberdeen, Atomic City, Idaho National Laboratory, Craters of the Moon, American Falls, Rockland, Arbon, Raft River, Declo, Burley, Rupert, Paul, Heyburn, Minidoka, Albion, Malta, Oakley, City of Rocks, Massacre Rocks and Arco.

Anyone spending time outdoors in the counties under the advisory might experience breathing difficulties because of the wildfire smoke, so it is recommended that everyone in those areas limits their time outdoors until the air quality improves.

The air quality advisory was issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in conjunction with the National Weather Service.

The advisory will remain in effect Sunday through at least Monday morning. Open burning is prohibited during the advisory.

Air quality advisories due to wildfire smoke are also in effect throughout most of the rest of Idaho as well as in Washington state, Oregon, Montana and Nevada.