Wildfires generating smoke across Canada & northern U.S.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) and Environment Canada have issued watches, warnings, and advisories for wildfires and resulting smoke across Canada and the northern U.S.

These bulletins include air quality alerts, dense smoke advisories, fire weather watches, and red flag warnings.

Dense smoke from multiple fires combining

According to U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite imagery observations issued July 9 and 10:

• Fires burning in the Northwest Territories and Ontario are generating moderate-density smoke plumes moving southeast.
• Fires burning in Colorado and Utah are generating light to moderate-density smoke plumes moving east.
• Both smoke plumes merged and dispersed across the eastern U.S. and Canada.
• Moderate to light smoke extends across much of the contiguous U.S. and Canada.

Actions to address wildfire smoke exposure

National, provincial, and state public health agencies have issued air quality and dense smoke alerts with recommendations to address wildfire smoke exposure.

If you are able, postpone outdoor work until air quality improves.

1. When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
2. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
3. Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using the highest-quality air filter that your ventilation system can handle and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.

If you must work outside:

1. Limit time outside, and limit strenuous outdoor physical activities as much as possible.
2. Take breaks to spend time indoors in a space with cleaner air.
3. A well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator-type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke.

Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning.

Mariners across the Great Lakes should proceed with caution, ensure all running lights are on, use proper fog signals, and use navigational aids including radar can compass.

See active alerts in your area

Visit the National Weather Service website to see active alerts: https://www.weather.gov/

Visit the Environment Canada website to see active alerts: https://weather.gc.ca/index_e.html

USA Today provides a map to track current and past wildfires across the U.S. and Canada.