DEM: Wildfire smoke from Canada damaging air quality in RI

Smoke from wildfires in Canada is reaching Rhode Island, driving air quality down to unhealthy levels through Tuesday, according to the state Department of Environmental Management.

"Wild fire smoke is currently impacting the area with MODERATE fine particles, but some hours of UNHEALTHY readings are expected as smokes reaches the surface as the afternoon progresses," the DEM says in its air-quality forecast.

"Avoid exposure to by limiting outdoor exercise and strenuous activity," the DEM says.

Air quality alert continues Tuesday morning

More:What you need to know about how Canadian wildfire smoke is impacting air quality in RI

Wildfires are burning across much of the U.S. West and Canada. Rhode Island is feeling the impact of Canadian fires in Manitoba and Ontario, according to Darren Austin, a meteorologist and senior air-quality specialist for the DEM's Office of Air Resources.

"The upper wind patterns were favorable and transported the smoke directly here," Austin said. "The fires have been going on for some time and are quite numerous."

USA TODAY reported more than 22,000 firefighters were battling wildfires across the West on Sunday. Eighty-eight wildfires were burning across 13 states, USA TODAY reported, and the threat isn't expected to ease anytime soon.

It's not unusual for smoke from distant wildfires to pass across Southern New England, but the smoke particles typically stay aloft, not affecting the air closer to the surface, according to Austin.

It's "definitely unusual" for those smoke particles to mix down from the upper levels, he said. For the first time in his eight years with the DEM, Austin last Tuesday issued a more serious "air-quality alert" due to smoke particles from distant wildfires, also from Canada.

"The values (this week) aren’t quite as high ... keeping air quality in the moderate" level, Austin said.

Last week, the DEM explained that the smoke particles can cause heart and lung problems.

"The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems," the agency said. "Small particles around 2.5 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream."

In assessing the current health concern, the DEM's Office of Air Resources rates it as "moderate," which means air quality is "acceptable" but "there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution."

The index has six categories, ranging from "good" to "very unhealthy." The "moderate" category is just one classification below "good."

Air quality is expected to remain in the "moderate" range Tuesday but should improve to "good" on Wednesday.

The DEM says there are several ways to stay informed about air quality. In a Facebook post, it offers the following links:

People can sign up to receive a daily email with local air quality information from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The DEM's Office of Air Resources posts the latest air quality forecast to the national Air Now website.

The DEM also posts air quality forecasts and discussions on its website.

Editors note: For the most recent air quality information read this morning's story: Air quality alert continues Tuesday morning.

jperry@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: @jgregoryperry