Air quality alerts were issued on Tuesday across various regions of New England due to ongoing haze and smoke from Canadian wildfires. While conditions should improve slightly due to an onshore wind in Boston and parts of Coastal New England, health officials warn that the smoke has the potential to affect vulnerable populations, such as those with asthma, elderly individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection indicated that smoke concentrations had reached, and in some instances exceeded, levels deemed unsafe for sensitive individuals. Albert Simeoni, a leading expert in fire protection engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, noted that wildfire smoke contains soot particles and various harmful gases like ozone and sulfur dioxide. The highly mobile particulate matter poses significant health risks as it can infiltrate the respiratory system.
Currently, the most severely impacted areas include Northern and Western New England, with notable smoke visibility reported throughout the region. Satellite imagery displayed a dull, gray blanket of smoke covering the area as far as the eye could see. Residents have likened the smell in the air to that of campfires, highlighting the pervasive nature of the wildfire smoke.
This year has seen a remarkable and troubling increase in wildfires across Canada, with nearly 4,000 fires reported so far, close to a record pace. Presently, there are about 700 active wildfires, which includes roughly 200 that are out of control. In stark contrast to last year’s figures, where approximately 7 million acres had burned by this point, the total has surged to around 17 million acres in 2023.
The weather patterns suggest that haze is likely to persist in New England over the next few days due to high-pressure systems directing the smoke southward into the U.S. Although some improvement is expected with a surface front potentially lifting smoke levels on Tuesday, air quality alerts may continue in specific areas. In the days ahead, the smoke is anticipated to thin out, especially as high pressure shifts south of Boston, possibly relieving much of the region from the smoky conditions by the weekend.
This ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the environmental and health impacts stemming from wildfires, emphasizing the need for community preparedness and awareness during such events.