CT DEEP: Canadian wildfire smoke impacting parts of state again
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said Tuesday that it is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to elevate fine particulate matter levels in parts of the state from Tuesday through July 19.
“These levels are expected to reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for northwest Connecticut on July 18 with elevated PM2.5 levels statewide on the morning of July 19,” the agency said in statement Tuesday evening,
PM2.5 is fine particulate matter, according to the agency.
DEEP said that when air quality is forecast to be USG, “there is an increased likelihood for members of sensitive groups to experience health effects.”
Therefore, the state Department of Public Health recommends those in sensitive populations (this includes children, seniors, and those with heart or lung disease) “limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous outdoor exercise. Everyone else should reduce long or intense activities outdoors. Also, it is important to take more breaks during outdoor activities.”
“Unfortunately, levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from Canadian wildfires are again expected to reach levels that will be unhealthy for sensitive groups in some parts of Connecticut,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, in the statement.
“We recommend that children and adults with respiratory disease follow guidance from the Connecticut Department of Public Health to protect themselves from experiencing symptoms from elevated air pollution. Air quality awareness is important, and we encourage residents to sign up to receive our daily air quality forecasts on the DEEP website, or visit AirNow.gov to stay apprised of local air quality.”
DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani said that in addition to recommending that people in sensitive populations limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous outdoor exercise, “those in sensitive groups also should have medications readily available and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
“In Connecticut, during periods of poor air quality, we have seen more children over the age of 5 visiting the emergency department for asthma-related symptoms. Staying indoors is the best way to reduce exposure,” she said, also in the statement.
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DEEP also provided information on how forest fires in western Canada impact Connecticut:
- Major wildfires are still burning in western Canada. The wildfire smoke from western Canada has pushed across the country and into Connecticut.
- Winds will continue to be southerly, allowing for the smoke plume to remain in Connecticut.
- The satellite image from today shows a thick smoke plume throughout Connecticut and the Northeast.
- As of early Tuesday afternoon, the PM2.5 levels in Connecticut are in the moderate range.
- On Wednesday morning, west winds will push the remainder of the heavy smoke plume into Connecticut ahead of a cold front, contributing to elevated PM2.5 in the morning reaching USG levels.