Smoke fouls air as fires, heat hammer U.S. northern Rockies

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Record-breaking heat is back in the forecast for the Northern Rockies, where thick smoke from wildfires is driving pollution readings to unhealthy levels.

Unhealthy air was recorded Tuesday around most of Montana’s larger cities and in portions of northern Wyoming and eastern Idaho.

More than 40 large fires are burning in the three states and smoke also is pouring in from blazes on the West Coast.

Temperatures as high as 110 degrees were forecast in eastern Montana. Billings and Sheridan, Wyoming, were expected to set record highs.

Officials issued quality alerts in areas of Montana and Idaho and recommended that people limit prolonged activity to protect themselves from breathing in too much smoke.