Is that wildfire smoke and haze from Canada coming back to the Bay State?
After the smoke plume made its way to Massachusetts earlier this month, meteorologists had warned that it could return this summer depending on how the wind blows. Now a few weeks later, it’s likely that the smoke from the out-of-control wildfires will yet again impact the Bay State and the local air quality.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s forecast for Thursday mentions the Canadian wildfire smoke in an air quality alert.
“AIR QUALITY: Wildfire smoke from Canada will likely enter western and central portions of the State and influence particle pollution levels,” MassDEP’s forecast reads.
“Fine particle levels will likely average in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range in these western and central areas,” the forecast states. “Moderate levels are forecast for eastern areas on Thursday.”
Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers, and people who are active outdoors.
The air quality alert is until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday for five counties in western and central Massachusetts: Worcester, Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties.
“MassDEP advises people in sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy,” MassDEP said in a statement. “Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.”
Earlier in June, MassDEP had been frequently issuing air quality alerts due to the heavy smoke.
It appears that for at least Thursday, the smoke won’t be as strong as earlier this month.
“As winds come from the west, it’s possible that we’ll get some of that smoke, and there could be some air quality concerns,” Andrew Loconto, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald on Wednesday.
“It won’t be nearly as bad as what we saw earlier in the month,” he added. “There’s a good amount of smoke across the Ohio Valley, so we may see some higher levels of smoke for tomorrow.”
Chicago and other parts of the Midwest have been impacted by the heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires this week.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality alert until midnight on Thursday.
“When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects,” the alert reads. “People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.”
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