Overview
Sawtooth NF is an air monitoring station in the Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho, USA. It is part of the IMPROVE network, operated by the National Park Service, and provides data on visibility and air quality in a remote wilderness area.
Sawtooth NF is an air monitoring station located within the Sawtooth National Forest in Custer County, Idaho, United States. As part of the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network, this station plays a key role in tracking visibility and particulate matter in pristine areas. The station is operated by the National Park Service and has been actively reporting data, with its most recent sample collected on February 27, 2025. The IMPROVE network is a collaborative program established to monitor visibility in Class I areas, such as national parks and wilderness areas, under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Regional Haze Rule. Stations like Sawtooth NF measure fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants to assess compliance with the Clean Air Act and to support the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS). The remote location of this station provides baseline data for understanding background air quality in the Intermountain West. This monitoring station contributes to the long-term record of air quality in the Sawtooth National Forest, a region known for its pristine landscapes and recreational value. The data collected helps inform haze management strategies and protects visibility in this federally designated wilderness area. The station's continued operation supports the broader goals of the National Park Service and the IMPROVE network to safeguard natural resources and public health.
Environmental context
The Sawtooth National Forest is a remote, high-elevation area in central Idaho, characterized by rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and coniferous forests. Air quality in this region is influenced by long-range transport of pollutants from urban and industrial sources, as well as seasonal wildfires. The IMPROVE station at Sawtooth NF monitors visibility and fine particulate matter, providing critical data for assessing regional haze and compliance with the EPA's Regional Haze Rule. This monitoring helps distinguish natural background conditions from anthropogenic impacts, supporting efforts to protect the visual and ecological integrity of the area.
Frequently asked questions
The Sawtooth NF air monitoring station is located within the Sawtooth National Forest in Custer County, Idaho, United States. Its coordinates are approximately 44.1704° N, -114.9280° W.
As part of the IMPROVE network, the Sawtooth NF station measures visibility and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to assess air quality and regional haze in a pristine wilderness area.
The station is operated by the National Park Service under the IMPROVE network, which is a collaborative program involving federal and state agencies.
The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network is a long-term program that monitors visibility and particulate matter in Class I areas (e.g., national parks and wilderness areas) across the United States. It supports the EPA's Regional Haze Rule and the Clean Air Act.
The station provides baseline air quality data from a remote location, helping to distinguish natural background conditions from anthropogenic pollution. This information is used to develop haze management plans and protect visibility in federally designated wilderness areas.
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