BREAKING: Air filters shut down, buildings closed on UI Moscow campus

A view of the smoke from Hello Walk on Saturday | Kim Stager

The wildfire smoke settling in a blanket over Moscow has caused air filters to clog in many buildings on the University of Idaho main campus, according to an email sent to Moscow-based faculty, staff and students today.

“To reduce the likelihood of mechanical failure, air handlers in most Moscow facilities will be shut down today and buildings closed,” the email stated. “The Moscow campus is already closed due to smoke and employees should not be on campus.”

The shutdown will last as long as the air quality remains “unhealthy.”

Residence halls, computer rooms and the Beowulf center, which houses a supercomputer for the College of Engineering, will have filters running. The filters are monitored and will be changed if necessary, according to the email.

Buildings which rely entirely on recirculated outside air to meet research and comfort needs will be impacted, along with buildings which recirculate inside air and supplement it with fresh outside air. A list of affected buildings will be included at the bottom of this article. Fume and exhaust hoods in these buildings will also be non-functional.

Details on how to navigate work schedules will be sent to those impacted later today.

Buildings which will not have filters running:
Gibb Hall | Life Science South | Holm Research Center | Renfrew Hall | College of Natural Resources \ Physical Education Building | McClure Hall | Engineering/Physics Building | Hazmat (Hazardous Material Storage) | Agriculture Biotechnology | Gauss/Johnson Engineering | Integrated Research and Innovation Center | South Wing of the Administration Building | Food Research Center | Menard Law Building | Ridenbaugh Hall | Bruce M. Pitman Center | Agriculture Science | Auditorium of the Lionel Hampton School of Music | Floors 1-3 of Janssen Engineering | Niccolls Building | Library | JW Martin Lab | KUID Radio and TV | College of Education | CLASS Annex | Executive Residence | Swimming Center | Buchanan Engineering Laboratory | Human Resources | Hartung Theatre | WWAMI Building | Early Childhood Learning Center | ISUB/TLC | West 6th Street Green House | Golf Course Clubhouse | Native American/Migrant Education Center | ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center and the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center East Edition | Student Recreation Center | VandalStore/U.S. Post Office | Vehicle Research Lab | JA Albertson Building | Facilities Services

Lex Miller can be reached at [email protected]

About the Author

Lex Miller I am a journalism major graduating spring 2022. I am the 2020-21 news editor. I write for as many sections as I can and take photos for The Argonaut.

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