Canadian wildfire smoke brings poor air quality, yellow hazy skies to Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Smoke from massive wildfires burning in Canada is degrading air quality across parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this week, prompting health concerns as a thick haze spreads across the region. Michigan is seeing some of the nation's worst air quality, with one monitor in Huron County reaching a hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) of 412. Air quality alerts now stretch across at least 17 states, from Minnesota to New Hampshire and Virginia. The smoke is carrying elevated levels of fine particulate pollution, known as PM2.5. The tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing the greatest risk to children, older adults, pregnant women and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions. Hazy conditions blanketed areas from the Great Lakes to New England and into the Washington, D.C., region on Wednesday, reducing visibility and giving the sky a milky, yellow or orange appearance. Residents in Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and other states also reported unusually colorful sunrises and sunsets. For many in New York, the smoky skies revived memories of June 2023, when Canadian wildfire smoke plunged air quality to hazardous levels and turned the sky an eerie orange. Forecasters say this week's event is not expected to be as severe because much of the smoke is remaining higher in the atmosphere, though some areas are still experiencing unhealthy air quality at the surface. Meteorologists in the Washington area expect elevated smoke to linger through at least Friday, while forecasters across southern New England say hazy skies could persist until winds shift later this week. Health officials recommend checking the Air Quality Index before spending extended time outdoors. People in sensitive groups should reduce strenuous outdoor activity when air quality deteriorates, while anyone experiencing eye irritation, coughing or shortness of breath should move indoors if possible. Keeping windows closed and using air conditioning or an air purifier can also help reduce smoke exposure. The haze is being carried into the United States by upper-level winds from Canada's ongoing wildfire season, where severe drought and unusually hot conditions have fueled more than 100 active wildfires. Forecasters warn additional rounds of smoke could affect parts of the U.S. in the coming weeks as long as the fires continue burning. https://wwmt.com/news/local/wildfires... _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WWMT on Facebook:   / wwmtnews   WWMT on Twitter:   / wwmtnews   Subscribe to WWMT on YouTube:    / @wwmtnews   WWMT Daily News Digest:    • WWMT-TV Daily Digest   For more information, visit https://www.wwmt.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 800.875.3333 WWMT is a MI based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #WWMT #NEWSCHANNEL3 #Kalamazoo #Michigan