An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for Yellowstone County, after a 4pm reading of particulate levels came back in the range that is "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

In Malta the particulate level readings came back in the "unhealthy" range, alerting all residents to "limit prolonged exertion."

According to the alert that was relayed by the National Weather Service, an Air Quality Alert means "particulates have been trending upward and that an exceedence of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard has occurred, or may occur in the near future."

When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, State and local health official recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. -Montana Department of Environmental Quality

CLICK HERE to see air quality data from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality monitor in Billings-Lockwood.

According to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, here's the wildfire smoke forecast for the state:

Radar is showing rain moving into the state this afternoon, which may provide slight improvements to air quality. More storms are expected Wednesday evening. Upper-level flow will begin to transition from southwesterly to westerly later this week, which will help to keep smoke from California fires out of Montana.

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