Haze from wildfires returns to region, but air quality index remains moderate

Bryce Buyakie and Gere Goble, The Times-Reporter
·2 min read

Smoke continues to blow through Northeast Ohio from Canada and other wildfires out west, causing air quality conditions to deteriorate. Particle pollution is expected to remain moderate from Wednesday through Saturday.

Although no air quality alert was issued for the Dover/New Philadelphia region, the air quality index for Wednesday as of noon was moderate at 70, according to AirNow.gov.

Sunrise is partially obscured by Canadian wildfire smoke in New Philadelphia as seen behind an upside down American flag, Tuesday, Aug. 1. According to the U.S. Flag Code, flying the American flag upside down is only meant to be done as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. The gesture has taken on more of political statement in recent times.

It is recommended that people who are very sensitive to particle pollution including those with respiratory conditions limit their outdoor activities.

Are Canadian wildfires still raging?

A look at the AirNow map of smoke cover shows gray, overlapping bands that reach into the Southern Canadian provinces and the Northern territories.

Multiple strips extend from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories into the Great Lakes Region, with Michigan and Northeast Ohio at its heart.

The Western half of Canada is dotted with hundreds of wildfires. Many are listed as "out of control," according to Natural Resources Canada, a department of the Canadian government.

A large number of fires are burning through the Central and Eastern regions of the country.

Canadian fires are not only to blame. They are the center of a continent-spanning band of wildfires stretching as far north as Alaska and south into Mexico.

AirNow maps of the U.S. show concentrations of blazes in Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana with many fires in Alaska.

Although these blazes are not the primary cause of poor air quality in Ohio, government maps show smoke blowing east into the Midwest.

Forecasting through Saturday

AirNow forecasts moderate air quality conditions through Saturday.

The National Weather Service forecast for the Dover/New Philadelphia area calls for mostly sunny skies Wednesday with a high near 84.

On Thursday, there's a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. The rest of the day is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Friday is expected to be partly sunny, with a high near 86, but there's a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.

The high Saturday is expected to be near 84, and on Sunday, near 86, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Wildfires' haze returns to region; air quality index remains moderate