Canadian wildfires cause smoky conditions, air quality issues in Indianapolis
Smoky and hazy conditions in Indianapolis, caused by wildfires in Canada, are expected to linger into Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
"People looking outside will notice a hazy feel,” said NWS meteorologist Andrew White. “Visibilities are not quite as high as they normally are due to some of that smoke. We are still kind of dealing with the lingering impacts from those fires.”
Red flag warnings issued in 5 states: See wildfire, smoke map of US, Canada
Lingering smoke from Canadian fires will gradually begin to move out later today, but in the meantime continue to be aware of any impacts. #INwx pic.twitter.com/uHg6ouAlbq
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 6, 2023
Smoke from the wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia is expected to linger higher in the atmosphere for a few more days in the Indianapolis area after Tuesday evening. Once higher in the atmosphere, the smoke will cause less of an impact on the ground, White said.
Wildfire smoke impacting air quality in Indianapolis, across the country
Hazy conditions can cause irritation for people with asthma or other respiratory issues, White said.
The Canadian wildfires caused hazy skies from the Ohio Valley to North Carolina and South Carolina. Parts of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Southeastern Minnesota, and all of Wisconsin have had air quality advisories in effect this week.
Does anyone else notice how cloudy it looks across Central Indiana today? These in fact are not clouds overhead, but smoke from wildfires in Quebec! #GOES16 GeoColor imagery clearly depicts the smoke pushing in from the NE. This will keep high temps a few degrees cooler. #inwx pic.twitter.com/hepn8uEK6A
— NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) June 4, 2023
In Central Indiana air quality is considered unhealthy for many and is worse today than at the same time yesterday.
Canadian wildfires: Smoke, haze impact US air quality
Sensitive groups such as older adults, children or those with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to air quality issues. Air pollution can cause inflammation, weakens someone’s immune system and can increase the risk of asthma, lung cancer or other chronic lung diseases.
A Knozone Action Day was declared for Indianapolis by the city’s Office of Sustainability on June 3. Knozone Action Days are declared when ozone or fine particulate matter levels rise above certain thresholds in the city.
Air quality: Knozone Action Day declared for June 3, 2023, in Central Indiana
What is the status of the Canadian wildfires?
More than 6.7 million Canadian acres have already burned in 2023, federal officials announced last week, marking one of the worst starts to wildfire season. Around 14,000 people were forced to evacuate Quebec with over 150 fires, CBC News reported. Officials said firefighters contained a wildfire in Nova Scotia on Sunday but that another one was still burning out of control covering nearly 100 square miles, according to the Associated Press.
Contact the reporter at 463-214-7590.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis air quality: Wildfires in Canada causing haze
