Canadian wildfire smoke is back in Indiana. Here's when it should clear up

Indianapolis Star
Updated ·2 min read
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Smoke from wildfires in Canada is once again hanging around Indianapolis.

The National Weather Service first observed the hazy smoke at 9 a.m. Sunday at Indianapolis International Airport.

Earl Breon, meteorologist with the Indianapolis NWS, said the service doesn't normally forecast for smoke, but they do look at visibility. He said the smoky haze should clear out by Monday evening.

“We’re looking for restrictions to visibilities to go away for the most part,” Breon said. “Haze and smoke will last until 8 or 9 o’clock this evening and probably move the rest of the way out overnight. We’re not really expecting issues going into tomorrow.”

A thick haze caused by Canadian wildfire smoke obscures the view of downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, as seen from Highland Park on the city's east side.
A thick haze caused by Canadian wildfire smoke obscures the view of downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, as seen from Highland Park on the city's east side.

Unhealthy air: Knozone Action Day declared for July 17, 2023, in Central Indiana

Tracking from NASA shows active fires burning in every southern province and territory in Canada.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website shows wildfire smoke covering most of the Midwest states stretching from South Dakota to Pennsylvania. In Indianapolis, the air quality index reached 143 Monday morning thanks to fine particulate matter from the fires.

Barry Sneed, with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management said they expect conditions to improve as the smoke moves east and slowly disperses.

"Continued improvement, although not a complete cleanout of the smoke, is shown in air quality forecast models and smoke forecast models over the next few days," Sneed wrote in an email. "Air quality is expected to remain in the moderate Air Quality Index range through the week."

The poor quality prompted a KnoZone Action Day.

The EPA recommends people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens take precautions to reduce exposure to the poor air quality.

The agency suggests choosing less strenuous activities and limiting the time spent outdoors.

Indianapolis air quality map

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis air quality: When will smoke from Canada wildfires clear?