Processed on 2024-03-04 13:32:40 PST.


Disclaimer: Data presented here come from a variety of sources and do not represent official EPA measurements. Please visit AirNow for official measurements.


Cumulative exposure to smoke is an important public health metric. This report summarizes the cumulative number of days air quality monitors in Montana spent in each AQI category during the the month of October.

The tables below include only permanent monitors measuring PM2.5 and show cumulative exposure under existing NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) and under the 2024 revised standards for PM2.5.

In the tables and plots below, ‘Old’ designates cumulative days calculated using the 2023 PM2.5 NAAQS while ‘New’ is calculated using the 2024 revised PM2.5 NAAQS. The impact of the NAAQS revision is quite clear.

October in Montana

October 2014 – 18 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 390 20 0 0 0 0 38
New 361 49 0 0 0 0 38

October 2015 – 18 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 365 61 1 3 0 0 18
New 310 115 2 3 0 0 18

October 2016 – 36 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 415 43 0 0 0 0 22
New 378 80 0 0 0 0 22

October 2017 – 22 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 447 63 0 0 0 0 34
New 397 113 0 0 0 0 34

October 2018 – 45 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 503 51 1 0 0 0 21
New 453 101 1 0 0 0 21

October 2019 – 25 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 493 47 0 0 0 0 36
New 447 93 0 0 0 0 36

October 2020 – 46 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 420 126 3 0 0 0 27
New 366 178 5 0 0 0 27

October 2021 – 25 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 472 56 2 0 0 0 46
New 408 120 2 0 0 0 46

October 2022 – 28 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 504 83 1 0 0 0 20
New 401 186 1 0 0 0 20

October 2023 – 79 permanent monitors

Good Moderate USG Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous Missing
Old 687 30 2 0 0 0 81
New 633 84 2 0 0 0 81