Canadian Wildfire Smoke Impacts Air Quality Across the Tri-State

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Is Affecting Air Quality Across the Tri-State

If you've looked outside lately and thought the sky seemed a little hazy, you're not imagining it. Or if you're like me and you try to walk everyday, and you've noticed it's a little more difficult to breathe, there's something you should know.

Even though temperatures have cooled down, air quality across the Tri-State has taken a hit because smoke from Canadian wildfires has drifted into the Ohio Valley. Thanks to changing wind patterns, smoke from fires burning hundreds of miles away can travel all the way to our region.

Why Is This Happening?

Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can stay in the air for long periods of time and travel great distances. As those particles move into the Ohio Valley, they can reduce air quality and create the hazy skies many people have noticed over the last few days.

While the smoke may not always be easy to smell, the tiny particles are still in the air and can affect your health.

What Symptoms Should You Watch For?

If you've noticed yourself coughing more than usual or feeling short of breath, the wildfire smoke could be the reason.

Health experts say the smoke can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Coughing
Sore throat
Watery or burning eyes
Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort

People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, young children, older adults, and anyone with other breathing conditions are the most likely to feel the effects.

How to Protect Yourself

If you're in one of those higher risk groups, experts recommend limiting your time outdoors until air quality improves.

You can also help reduce your exposure by:

Keeping windows and doors closed.
Running your air conditioner if you have one.
Avoiding strenuous outdoor activities like running or yard work.
Checking local air quality reports before spending extended time outside.

The Good News

The haze won't last forever.

Air quality can improve fairly quickly once weather systems shift and winds push the smoke out of the area. Until then, it's a good idea to keep an eye on local air quality alerts, especially if you or someone in your family has a respiratory condition.

So if you've been wondering why the sky looks a little different or you've been coughing a bit more lately, Canadian wildfire smoke is likely the culprit. Hopefully, we'll see cleaner air return to the Tri-State soon.