Press Releases
06/08/2023
Air Quality to Remain at Unhealthy Levels through Thursday Due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke
(HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to continue to linger throughout the day on Thursday and result in elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels. These levels are expected to exceed Unhealthy levels for the entire state as the smoke slowly disperses throughout the day.
“If you don’t need to be outside, particularly if you have respiratory issues or other similar ailments, it is strongly encouraged to stay indoors to the greatest extent possible until air quality improves,” Governor Ned Lamont said.
“What we’re seeing this week is dramatic, unhealthy, and unprecedented,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “Air pollution from Canadian wildfires, made worse by climate change, is now impacting the air we breathe for a fourth straight day. We recommend that people follow guidance from the Connecticut Department of Public Health to protect themselves from experiencing symptoms from elevated air pollution.”
“While we brace for another day of poor air quality, we continue to recommend that people avoid being outdoors for prolonged periods of time, if possible,” said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “Those with underlying medical conditions, as well as children and older adults, are considered sensitive populations and are most at risk. KN95 and N95 masks are effective at filtering smoke; if you have one available, consider wearing one while outdoors until the air quality improves.”
Health Effects of PM 2.5 Air Pollution
When air quality reaches Unhealthy levels, individuals with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion and even healthy individuals should limit prolonged exertion. The general population may see increased respiratory effects.
Additional Connecticut Department of Public Health guidance is available on their website.
How do Forest Fires in Quebec Impact Connecticut?
Major wildfires are still burning across Quebec, most of which are out of control. The wildfire smoke from Quebec is moving south because of an upper-level low-pressure system that is over Maine. With this weather pattern, calm winds will slowly disperse the plume throughout the day on Thursday. The following image shows the fire locations with the smoke plumes from the EPA Fire and Smoke Map. The satellite image from this morning shows clouds in northern Connecticut obscuring the view of the smoke plume. However, with the thick smoke is visible in southern Connecticut and to our south. Currently, the PM2.5 levels at the surface are in the Unhealthy range and are expected to slowly decrease throughout the day.
EPA Fire and Smoke Map, June 8, 2023, 8:03 a.m., showing the heaviest smoke plume to our southwest.
Visible Satellite Map, June 8, 2023, 8:00 a.m., showing smoke plume over Connecticut with cloudy skies for northern Connecticut.
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Ambient Air Monitoring
DEEP monitors, tracks, and forecasts daily air quality levels across Connecticut for ozone from May 1st through September 30th each year and for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) each day of the year. On April 30, 2023, DEEP began informing Connecticut’s regulated community and the general public of the ozone season via the State of Connecticut E-mail list serve and posting air quality forecasts on the DEEP web page, available here.
DEEP encourages daycare providers, summer camps and elder/senior centers to subscribe to the Air Quality Index (AQI). Subscribing to the AQI is fast and easy and will provide you with important information each day about Connecticut’s air quality through the spring and summer. The AQI link provides facts and information regarding ground-level ozone, its health effects, what to do on a high ozone day, and most importantly what you can do to help reduce ground level ozone in your backyard.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110