Will the Canadian wildfires impact the Ozarks? Here's what to know

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
People wear masks as they wait for the tramway to Roosevelt Island as smoke from Canadian wildfires casts a haze over the area on June 7, 2023 in New York City. Air pollution alerts were issued across the United States due to smoke from wildfires that have been burning in Canada for weeks.
People wear masks as they wait for the tramway to Roosevelt Island as smoke from Canadian wildfires casts a haze over the area on June 7, 2023 in New York City. Air pollution alerts were issued across the United States due to smoke from wildfires that have been burning in Canada for weeks.

Hundreds of wildfires have been ongoing throughout Canada for the last few weeks, with residual smoke beginning to roll into the northern and northeastern United States. Though hundreds of miles from the sources of the fires, the Ozarks may experience minimal effects in the coming days and weeks.

Springfield National Weather Service Meteorologist Jason Schaumann said the Ozarks may experience some haze in the air this week, but generally the wildfire smoke will remain eastward, impacting areas throughout Wisconsin down to the Tennessee Valley.

The air quality in Springfield was considered "moderate," with an air quality ranking of 60 on Wednesday evening, per AirNow, the United States' real-time air quality service. Folks are safe to go outdoors and open windows, but those with allergy or breathing sensitives may want to keep outdoor activities short and light.

On Tuesday, folks may have noticed a red-tinted sunrise and sunset, which were directly related to the wildfire smoke, Schaumann said. This appearance may continue in the area.

Pedestrians pass the One World Trade Center, center, amidst a smokey haze from wildfires in Canada, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in New York. Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks.

Schaumann said the reason the smoke is traveling as far as it is, is because of untraditional wind patterns. Typically, late March through early June is severe weather season in the Ozarks, with strong winds in the middle and upper portions of the atmosphere. But Schaumann said this has not been the case over the past few weeks. Now, weak winds from the north and northeast are bringing smoke to the Ozarks.

(You can find updated digital maps of Springfield air quality and area wildfires and smoke on News-Leader.com.)

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation. Schaumann encouraged folks to keep an eye on the forecast for any potential announcements.

As of Wednesday, over 430 wildfires are active in Canada, with 250 considered "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The wildfires are spread through the entire country, but it is the smoke from fires in the eastern part of the country most drastically impacting the United States.

Yankee fans watch the game against the White Sox as a thick haze from the Canadian wildfires hover over The Bronx. Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
Yankee fans watch the game against the White Sox as a thick haze from the Canadian wildfires hover over The Bronx. Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Air quality through New York City was considered hazardous on Wednesday, with air quality ratings reaching over 330, according to AirNow. In these areas, folks should avoid all outdoor activity.

The cause for the drastic number of wildfires can be tied to high temperatures, lasting droughts and changes in rain patterns, according to the Government of Canada. The country is putting plans in place to keep Canadians and others safe, but an end of the wildfire season is not in direct sight.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Canadian wildfires to generally remain eastward of Missouri Ozarks