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Missoula proclaims July 19, 2025, “Wildfire Smoke Ready Week”
Summary
The Missoula City Council and Missoula County proclaimed July 19, 2025, as Wildfire Smoke Ready Week, urging residents to prepare for smoke exposure and follow public‑health guidance; Councilor Jordan cited research on health risks from wildfire smoke.
Missoula City Council on July 14 joined Missoula County in proclaiming July 19, 2025, as Wildfire Smoke Ready Week to raise public awareness about the health risks of wildfire smoke and encourage steps residents can take to reduce exposure.
The proclamation, read on screen and into the record by the mayor, states that wildfire smoke is a growing public‑health threat and lists associated risks including worsened asthma attacks, decreased lung function, aggravated COPD symptoms, increased susceptibility to infectious disease, higher rates of hospitalization and death, and elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes. The proclamation references the National Interagency Fire Center’s 2025 outlook and the Climate Ready Missoula plan in calling for proactive strategies to reduce harm.
Councilor Jordan commented during the presentation and cited recent local research on smoke and exercise. "The smoke contains fine particulate matter, which is small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, triggering inflammation and increasing the risk of chronic diseases like heart and lung conditions," Councilor Jordan said. He advised residents to monitor air quality through tools such as AirNow, limit outdoor exercise when smoke levels are elevated, and consider individual health status when deciding whether to be active outdoors.
Why it matters: The joint city–county proclamation highlights public‑health risks associated with wildfire smoke and directs attention to preparedness resources, indoor air‑quality measures and outreach. The statement is a public‑information measure rather than a regulatory action.
The transcript notes that representatives of the Missoula Fire Department were present during the proclamation, though no fire‑department speaker delivered formal remarks on the record. The council chair also announced that an administrative error had postponed item 5.1, the Old Post Hospital demolition‑permit appeal, to allow additional public outreach; no public hearing on that matter occurred at this meeting.
Ending: The proclamation encourages residents to learn about indoor air filtration and to follow public‑health guidance during wildfire season; the city and county emphasized that preparatory outreach and messaging will continue before high‑risk periods.
