Air quality in Boston area unhealthy today with Canadian wildfire smoke still in Massachusetts
The air quality index for the Boston area and Massachusetts remains unhealthy today for sensitive groups, as wildfire smoke from Canada is creating an ominous look to our sky once again.
Air quality alerts have been issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for the entire state through Thursday.
Air quality Boston now
This alert is for something called "fine particulates" at ground level, otherwise known as PM(2.5).
These are extremely small (2.5 micrometers or smaller) air pollutants that can come from things like car exhaust or wildfires. When concentrations get high, it can be hazardous to breathe in. Because these pollutants are so tiny (much smaller than the width of a human hair), they can get deep into the lungs very easily.
The levels in the forecast are mainly only hazardous to those considered to be in the "sensitive group." This would include children or adults with asthma, heart or lung trouble, and the elderly.
If you are in that group, experts are recommending that you limit your time outdoors and consider wearing an N95 mask.
Most home air filters should work just fine at blocking the particles from getting inside your home. However, until the smoke passes, we would also recommend keeping windows closed.
Air quality index
Current air quality measurements range from moderate to unhealthy across the Boston area.
Our area is forecast to be mainly in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range, but conditions will vary from time to time and place to place.
Remember, the smoke is constantly moving with the wind, so the thickness and concentration of smoke at any given time/place will constantly be changing. You will notice the sky brightening and darkening throughout the day.
Canadian wildfire smoke forecast
Currently more than 100 wildfires are burning across a large portion of Canada.
The cluster of fires over northern Minnesota and south-central Canada is the main culprit for the smoke we are experiencing here in New England. The winds are bringing the plume directly into our area.
We expect another plume to envelop Massachusetts during the day Thursday, which is why air quality alerts have been extended through today.
It does appear that winds will change enough by Friday for much of the smoke to be redirected away from our area.
Stay tuned to updated forecasts on WBZ-TV and CBS News Boston.
