Wildfires in Canada are raging this summer and it has affected the United States.
People are growing increasingly concerned with what’s happening in Canada right now. The northernmost country in the continent is experiencing unprecedented heat this summer, and it has led to a couple of wildfires spreading throughout the country.
However, it has raised concerns in the US because of the smoke, reaching past the border towards US states. It has affected the air quality, in places like California and has been spreading particle pollution from the fires.
William Barrett, the national senior Director at the American Lung Association, gave a statement about the situation. He said, “Unfortunately what we’ve seen over the past several years… Is that wildfire smoke can travel hundreds do thousands of miles and impact millions of people along the way.”
The main source of apprehension about Canadian wildfires is the particle pollution that spreads Over large areas of the North American continent. According to Barrett, even the smallest particle pollution called PM2.5 can dangerously affect the air quality. It makes it harder to breathe, and for people who have asthma, for example, it can trigger the defense mechanisms of the body, which can lead to more severe diseases like stroke and heart attacks.
Places that previously weren’t affected by particle pollution have it now because of the Canadian wildfires. Chad Weyland, the Director of the air quality assessment division gave an interview with CNN saying “The increased purple air days that you saw this year, probably 100% of those were attributable to the wildfires.”
North Dakota, which previously didn’t have to worry about bad air quality, has had a record number of purple air days and seven of its eight counties. Officials have lodged a total of 19 counties affected by poor air quality in states like Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. These states and counties didn’t have the same air pollution problem in the past.
It is no wonder that smoke from the wildfires in Canada has reached the United States. According to recent data this September, over 42 million acres of land suffered from wildfires. This is almost the size of Florida, to put it into perspective. There have been more acres of land burned just this year than in the past 40 years based on the reports.
This appalling phenomenon is being chalked up to climate change by the experts. Many officials have spoken that having plans or knowing how to deal with bad air, quality will be best for everyone. This can include improving indoor air quality, and assessing if public spaces are prepared to battle scenarios like this.
Particle pollution isn’t a short-term problem. It can have long-lasting effects on the lungs, and the quality of life for everyone. According to research, it can even reduce life expectancy, so knowing how to solve, the problem is really important, especially now that these wildfires have become increasingly prominent.