The wildfire smoke significantly impacted air quality in Boise, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 200 during the worst days in late July, reducing visibility to less than a mile (The Arbiter). Residents experienced health risks, including respiratory issues, as the smoke blanketed the area. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality noted that the region's geography and weather patterns made it particularly vulnerable to smoke from distant fires. While conditions have improved with the arrival of cooler weather, the extended wildfire season poses a continued risk of poor air quality if dry conditions persist.