Millions of people throughout the west and northeast are under air quality alerts on Monday, since the smoke of forest fires in Canada is derived from the region.
Brumous skies are expected in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Delaware and Maine, according to the National Meteorological Service.
Almost 200 forest fires are out of control in Canada, including 81 in Saskatchewan, 159 in Manitoba and 61 in Ontario. The figures of the Canadian Integential Forest Forest Center indicate that more than 16.5 million acres have been burned so far this year in what will probably be the second season of forest fires in the country.
A high pressure system parked in the west is catching the smoke in its place, which makes air quality problems delay for several days, according to the Michigan Environment Department, large lakes and energy.
The air quality index on Monday in 14 states in the west and the northeast varied from “moderate” to “unhealthy” for the general public.
The smoke of forest fires is of particular concern because it contains small particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, about 4% of the diameter of an average human hair thread. This type of air pollution is dangerous because the particles are small enough to reach the inside of the lungs, which can exacerbate or increase the risk of asthma, lung cancer and other chronic pulmonary diseases.
Exposure to high levels of air pollution can also cause inflammation and weaken the immune system. Babies, children, older people and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to unhealthy air quality conditions.
Studies have shown that climate change is feeding the most frequent and intense forest fires. Warmer temperatures can dry the vegetation, which can increase the probability that forest fires are fought and spread rapidly.
Cities affected by poor air quality on Monday include Milwaukee; Detroit; Buffalo and Albany in New York; Boston and New York City. Many alerts will remain in force until Tuesday, according to the weather service.
In the West, several forest fires are causing separate air quality problems in the region. More than 65,000 acres have been burned in the National Forest of California, where hot and dry conditions have fueled the growth of the Gifford fire.
In Colorado, the air quality index showed “moderate” readings on Monday in large stripes.
“If the smoke is thick or becomes thick in its neighborhood, you may want to remain inside,” said the Department of Public Health and Environment of Colorado in his advice. “This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory diseases, very young and old.
