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Canadian wildfires are impacting air quality in US: See map

Julia Gomez   Paste BN
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States across the U.S. are feeling the impact of the Canadian wildfires as air quality takes a hit from the smoke, according to a government website that tracks air quality in the United States.

As of Monday, Aug. 4, there are 59 uncontrolled wildfires and 108 controlled wildfires across Canada, the country's National Wildland Fire Situation Report said on its website. To date this year, there have been 3,582 fires.

The smoke floating over the border shared between America and Canada is now impacting air quality in states as far south as Texas, AirNow's data shows. The EPA has declared the air quality in states near the Canadian border as "unhealthy or "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

See map of Canadian wildfires

Wildfire and smoke map

Which states are affected by the Canadian fires?

Areas in the following states are "Unhealthy for sensitive groups," according to AirNow:

  • Wisconsin
  • Iowa
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Michigan
  • New York
  • Maine
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Vermont
  • New Hampshire

People with pre-existing medical conditions, like asthma, will be more sensitive to conditions that are deemed "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups."

"Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects," according to AirNow.

'Unhealthy' air quality

States' air quality is measured by the EPA's U.S. Air Quality Index, according to AirNow's website. Values with an index of 151 to 200 are deemed unhealthy for all.

Areas in the following states have been deemed unhealthy, according to AirNow's air quality map:

  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • Michican
  • New York

"Some members of the general public may experience health effects," AirNow states on its website. However, "members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects."

To learn if your area's air quality is affected by the wildfires, visit AirNow's interactive map.

Side effects of inhaling wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke can irritate one's eyes, nose, and throat and cause the following symptoms:

  • Coughing
  • Chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the main components of wildfire smoke, comprised of small particles of solids or liquids suspended in the air, Paste BN previously reported.

According to Yale Medicine, the particles can be 10 micrometers, PM 10, or as small as 2.5 micrometers, PM 2.5, and the smaller one poses a lot of health risks.

PM2.5 is so tiny that it can easily pass people's usual defense mechanisms and dive deep into their lungs. Not only can it damage lung function, but it can also pass into the bloodstream and travel to other organs.

The following is linked to exposure to the PM 2.5:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Lung cancer
  • Decline in cognitive function

Julia is a trending reporter for Paste BN. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

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