EPA Research in Montana

Explore EPA's research across the United States.

EPA researchers are working hard to protect communities across the nation. Learn about some of the work EPA researchers are doing in Montana.

Monitoring the Impact of Wildfires and Woodsmoke on Indoor Air Quality
Enhancing Local Readiness for Wildfires
Study Provides New Insights Into Impacts of Wildland Fires on Ozone Monitoring Equipment
Studies Advance Air Monitoring During Wildfires and Improve Forecasting of Smoke
Understanding Indoor Air Quality During Wildfires in Missoula
Asbestos Exposure and Forest Fires
Protecting Building Occupants from Wildfire Smoke

For more EPA work, see EPA in Montana.

Monitoring the Impact of Wildfires and Woodsmoke on Indoor Air Quality

Woodsmoke over Hoopa Valley Tribal lands — Photo by Brian McCaughey

EPA researchers worked with Tribal and community partners on a multi-faceted study to develop new solutions and approaches for reducing wildfire smoke exposures. For the field research portion of the study, EPA scientists partnered with the Missoula City-County Health Department in Montana, University of Montana, and the Hoopa Valley Tribe in California. Read In the Field with EPA: Monitoring the Impact of Wildfires and Woodsmoke on Indoor Air Quality.

Enhancing Local Readiness for Wildfires

Wildfire smoke continues to impact the health of many people in fire-prone areas in the United States. EPA and the U.S. Forest Service worked with two communities — including Butte and Silver Bow, Montana — that are increasingly impacted by wildfires to create smoke response plans. The results can be used by other health professionals to assist communities with developing their own smoke-ready plans. Read Partners Collaborate in Smoke-Ready Communities Research to Enhance Local Readiness for Wildfires.

Study Provides New Insights Into Impacts of Wildland Fires on Ozone Monitoring Equipment

Some states have observed unexplained increases in ozone from monitors near active wildfires or prescribed burns. To find out why this was occurring, EPA researchers investigated and evaluated a popular ozone monitoring method during fires in Kansas, Oregon, and Montana. Their research will help state, Tribal and local monitoring agencies interpret ozone data collected during wildland fire smoke events. Read Study Provides New Insights Into Impacts of Wildland Fires on Ozone Monitoring Equipment.

Studies Advance Air Monitoring During Wildfires and Improve Forecasting of Smoke

The Kolibri air sensor, a lightweight sampler developed by EPA researchers, samples chemical, particle, and biological pollutants as it is carried through smoke in an unmanned aircraft system.

EPA researchers are tackling smoke issues from wildfires. In 2019, EPA researchers drove mobile laboratories to wildfires as they occur in the Northwest. Additionally, three stationary labs in wildfire-prone areas were set up with regulatory and research grade instrumentation and low-cost sensors and other small air sampling devices. The labs were located near Reno, Nevada, Boise, Idaho, and at a U.S. Forest Service research facility in Missoula, Montana. This research will improve the ability to predict smoke from both wildfires and prescribed burns and determine what air monitors are best for measuring smoke from wildfires. Read Studies Advance Air Monitoring During Wildfires and Improve Forecasting of Smoke.

Understanding Indoor Air Quality During Wildfires in Missoula

After wildfire smoke impacted the city of Missoula, Montana in the summer of 2017, the local health department was inundated with inquiries about the risks of smoke, actions to take, and how to create clean air spaces indoors. As a result, the Missoula Health Department teamed up with EPA researchers to place low-cost air sensors throughout the city to learn more about how air cleaning and ventilation practices impact indoor air quality during wildfire events. EPA is also evaluating the effectiveness of portable air cleaners and air filtration systems under simulated pollution levels found during wildfires. Read Understanding Indoor Air Quality During Wildfires.

Asbestos Exposure and Forest Fires

EPA researchers in the Office of Research and Development, in collaboration with Region 8 (Mountains and Plains), provided technical support to Montana Department of Environmental Quality to assess the health risks associated with potential forest fires near the Libby Asbestos site in Montana. Learn more about this work.

Protecting Building Occupants from Wildfire Smoke

EPA's Office of Research and Development is working with the Missoula City-County Health Department in Montana on a solutions-driven research effort to address reducing indoor air exposures to wildfire smoke. One of the concerns raised by partners was that they had no guidance to use when they talked with building owners about how to improve indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events. EPA collaborated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers to develop a guidance document for commercial building owners.