It’s smoking hot in the Boise area — literally.

Part of the Southern Snake Plains was expected to see high temperatures spike above 100 degrees on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Meanwhile, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality alert for 10 Idaho counties, including Ada County, due to wildfire smoke.

Here’s what to know about the extreme weather conditions:

How hot will it get in Boise area?

On Monday, July 20, the National Weather Service’s Boise office issued a heat advisory for the Treasure Valley, including the cities of Boise, Caldwell and Nampa.

Other affected areas include the Upper Weiser River and Malheur County.

The heat advisory will remain in effect until 9 p.m. Monday, the weather service said.

Temperatures as high as 103 degrees are expected.

“Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses, especially for the young, elderly and animals,” the weather service said, adding that “warm overnight temperatures will limit recovery” from scorching daytime heat.

What is hurting air quality in Idaho?

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Monday that will remain in effect until 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

Although the Claremont Fire near Boise is nearing containment, wildfires burning in Central Oregon are sending smoke and particulate matter into Idaho, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.

Air quality in Ada County and nine other Idaho counties has reached “unhealthy” levels, the state Environmental Quality Department said.

Several Washington counties are also experiencing unhealthy air quality.

“Everyone may begin to experience health effects,” the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality said in its alert. “Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.”

What are health impacts from wildfire smoke?

Wildfire smoke is formed from some of the smallest and most dangerous pollutants, according to Boise State University.

“When we have the heat and the air pollution, it causes greater concern for public health,” Mike Toole, regional airshed coordinator for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, told the Statesman.

Large plumes of smoke can encourage chemical reactions that alter gound-level ozone quality.

Inhaling too much smoke can lead to several serious conditions, affecting not only your lungs, but your heart as well, the Mayo Clinic said.

“People with preexisting heart disease or hypertension may experience symptoms from elevated levels of wildfire smoke, including chest pain, palpitations and fatigue,” the Mayo Clinic said.

To stay safe from breathing in toxic air, try your best to stay inside, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. When it’s mandatory for you to be outside in smoke, protect yourself with the proper respiration gear such as an N95 or P100 that fits.

How will smoke impact high temperatures in Idaho?

According to Cole Hood, a Boise meteorologist with the National Weather Service, Monday was expected to be the hottest day of the week.

The density of smoke in the air can either increase or decrease the possible range of high temperatures on Monday, Hood told the Statesman via phone. Density and particle type can both change the temperature forecast.

“When we get a thick plume of smoke that layers the Treasure Valley ... that will reflect and block out some percentage of that sunlight, which can reduce the temperature at ground level,” Toole said.

“There is some concern with our forecast on whether or not the smoke may act to dampen some of the higher temperature effects, as well as some of these high clouds we are seeing from all this monsoonal moisture,” Hood said. “But we still are going to maintain the heat advisory through this afternoon.”

What’s the weather forecast in Boise?

“High temperatures consistently reaching 100 degrees or more will impact southern Idaho early this week,” the National Weather Service said in its most recent Idaho State Forecast Discussion. “Heat advisories are in effect for much of the high desert and Snake Plain Monday afternoon.”

According to the weather service’s current forecast for Boise. the City of Trees will see a high temperature of 104 degrees with an overnight low temperature around 72 degrees.

Wind gusts could reach 22 mph, the weather service said.

“Patchy smoke” will remain in the area on Tuesday as the afternoon high climbs to 99.

Tuesday is expected to see a low of 71.

“The monsoonal moisture is expected to slowly ramp up, leading into Wednesday over pretty much the entire area,” Hood said. “Once we get to Wednesday, we do really expect that the coverage should greatly increase, with precipitation chances starting to populate in the lower Snake (River Basin).”

The forecast for Wednesday calls for a high of 97 and a low around 69

Temperatures in Boise will return to the triple digits on Thursday and Friday, when highs are expected to be in the low 100s.

How to avoid heat stroke

When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.

In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If heat exhaustion persists for too long, however, it can lead to heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury.

People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin, as well as a fast, strong pulse. They can alsobecome confused.

If you start experiencing symptoms, move indoors immediately and call 911 right away.

If you must hike or be outdoors in dangerously hot temperatures, the National Park Service recommends following these safety tips:

• Carry and drink plenty of water and plan to replenish electrolytes.

• Eat twice as much food as normal and have salty foods on hand.

• Carry a first-aid kit.

• Pack essentials only.

• Spray yourself with water to cool down.

• Have a hat and sunscreen as protection from the sun.

• Have a whistle or signal for emergency use.

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