Canadian Wildfire Smoke Is Blanketing CT: Here's What To Know

Smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada is expected to bring unhealthy air quality across Connecticut through Thursday, prompting state officials to urge residents to limit outdoor activity and take precautions.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued a statewide air quality alert Wednesday, forecasting "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" air quality across Connecticut. Conditions are expected to worsen Thursday, when Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties are forecast to reach "Unhealthy" levels because of elevated fine-particle pollution from Canadian wildfire smoke.

Subscribe

According to DEEP, smoke from more than 830 active wildfires in Canada is being carried into Connecticut by a stalled upper-level low-pressure system over eastern Canada and persistent northwest winds.

Officials said smoke impacts are expected to increase Wednesday afternoon and continue through Thursday, bringing hazy skies, reduced visibility and elevated levels of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5.

Air quality across Connecticut is forecast to reach the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category Wednesday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. Credit: CT DEEP

Air quality is expected to worsen Thursday, with Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven counties forecast to reach the "Unhealthy" category because of Canadian wildfire smoke. Credit: CT DEEP

"The wildfire smoke impacting Connecticut today and tomorrow will produce unhealthy air quality and in combination with higher temperatures is expected to present significant risk to our most vulnerable residents," DEEP Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino said in a statement.

The Department of Public Health urged young children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with asthma, heart disease or other lung conditions to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity while the advisory remains in effect.

"We know Connecticut residents want to enjoy the outdoors in the summer," Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. "This week's air quality conditions are a temporary but important reminder to plan around them, especially for sensitive groups."

What residents should do

Officials recommend residents:

• Limit time outdoors, especially during the afternoon and evening.
• Move workouts and other strenuous activities indoors or postpone them.
• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Run air conditioning on the recirculate setting.
• Use a HEPA air purifier if available.
• Stop outdoor activity immediately if you develop coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or eye irritation.

DEEP said hazy skies and poor air quality are expected to continue through Thursday before conditions begin improving.