Air Quality Alerts Widespread Across U.S. Due to Wildfire Smoke

Multiple states across the U.S. are currently under air quality alerts due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), primarily caused by wildfires in Canada and other combustion sources. Wisconsin has an Air Quality Alert advising sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues to limit outdoor activities. New York State has issued health advisories for several regions including Upstate, the Capital Region, and the Hudson Valley, warning that PM2.5 levels have exceeded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 100, which can cause short-term respiratory symptoms and exacerbate conditions like asthma and heart disease. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation links these advisories to wildfire smoke and weather conditions that trap pollutants near the ground. In California, Santa Barbara County has issued an Air Quality Alert and Watch due to smoke from the Gifford Fire, advising residents to avoid outdoor exposure, use N-95 masks if working outside, and create clean air rooms indoors to reduce smoke inhalation. Health officials nationwide emphasize the need for vulnerable populations to take precautions during these air quality events to mitigate health risks.