Dangerous air quality in areas with EverTrue team members
Smoke from wildfires burning in Ontario have caused air quality to reach "dangerous" levels across Canada, and the northeastern and midwestern United States. And it could get worse before conditions improve.
Massive plumes of smoke are descending across parts of Canada and the United States, creating dangerous air quality and scenes reminiscent of the historic wildfire smoke outbreak from three summers ago.
"In 2023, a major fire outbreak in Quebec caused days of unhealthy air quality in the northeastern U.S.," AccuWeather Vice President of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin said. "This event could cause similar levels of poor air quality in spots."
Air quality alerts have been issued for millions of people, including across all of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
Over 800 wildfires are currently burning across Canada, including dozens that are out of control across western Ontario, the source of most of the smoke. "Many of these fires may have been started by lightning," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.
Conditions started to deteriorate across the region on Wednesday, becoming more widespread on Thursday. People across the mid-Atlantic, including New York City, could smell smoke when stepping outside on Thursday afternoon.
On Friday morning, "dangerous" air quality was commonplace from northern Minnesota through Delaware. Chicago was one of the worst cities for air quality with an AQI of 342. The AQI was also over the "dangerous" threshold of 250 in Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Detroit.
When the AQI climbs into the 150+ range for a full day outside, that’s in the ballpark of [smoking] 7 to 9 cigarettes," Dr. Jonathan M. Tan, division chief of General Anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told AccuWeather.
At these extreme levels, exposure to the air for a few minutes can lead to serious health effects, including difficulty breathing, throat irritation, itchy eyes, or a headache, according to Plume Labs. Experts encourage people to avoid outdoor activities until conditions improve.
The difference between Tuesday and Wednesday at Niagara Falls was startling as an orange-gray shroud settled over the iconic waterfall. Visibility improved over the falls by Friday, but air quality remained very unhealthy.
Fires burning in northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories are also contributing to the smoky sky across North America. Most of the smoke from these blazes is higher in the atmosphere.
People are encouraged to limit time outdoors amid the poor air quality, especially for sensitive groups.
Spending time outdoors and exercising could increase the risk of impacts, including difficulty breathing, throat irritation and itchy eyes.
"Make sure to keep pets indoors to limit their exposure to poor air quality," Grill added.
The smoke can also limit temperatures amid an ongoing heat dome, and where the smoke is not as thick in the sky, create vivid sunrises and sunsets.
To Get Help
Connecticut
· United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1; 800.203.1234 or visit: http://www.211ct.org/
· American Red Cross: 877.287.3327or visit: http://www.redcross.org/local/connecticut
· Office of Emergency Management: 860.685.8541 or visit: http://www.ct.gov/demhs/site/default.asp
Delaware
· United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: http://www.delaware211.org/
· Office of Emergency Management: http://www.dema.delaware.gov/
· American Red Cross: 302-656-6620 or visit https://www.redcross.org/local/dc-va-md-de/about-us/locations/delmarva.html
Illinois
· 2-1-1 Illinois: Call 2-1-1 from your service area or 309.999.4029 or visit: https://www.illinois211.org/
· American Red Cross 312.729.6100 or visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/illinois.html
· Illinois Emergency Management Agency: 800.782.7860 or visit: https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/
Maryland
· United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: https://211md.org/
· American Red Cross: 410.624.2000 or visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/dc-va-md-de.html
· Office of Emergency Management: 877.636.2872 or visit: http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Massachusetts
· United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: https://mass211.org/
· American Red Cross: 781.410.3670 or visit https://www.redcross.org/local/massachusetts.html
· Office of Emergency Management: 508.820.2000 or visit: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/
Michigan
· United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: https://www.mi211.org/
· American Red Cross: 313.833.4440 or visit: http://www.redcross.org/local/michigan
· Office of Emergency Management: 517.284.3745 or visit: http://www.michigan.gov/msp/
Minnesota
· Dial 2-1-1 from your service area or visit: http://www.firstcall211.net/
· Minnesota Emergency Management: 651.201.7000 or visit: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/Pages/default.aspx
· American Red Cross Minnesota Region: 612.871.7676 or visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/mn-nd-sd.html
New Jersey
· United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: http://nj211.org/
· American Red Cross: 973.797.3300 or visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/new-jersey.html
· Office of Emergency Management: 609.882.2000 or visit: http://www.ready.nj.gov/
New York
· United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: http://211nys.org/
· NY 311 (Includes Warming Center Locator): Dial 3-1-1 or visit: http://www1.nyc.gov/311/index.page
· American Red Cross: 877.733.2767 or visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/new-york/greater-new-york.html
· Office of Emergency Management: 518.242.5000 (Albany), 212.867.7060 (NYC) or visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/index.page
Ohio
· United Way 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: https://www.211oh.org/
· American Red Cross Central and Southern Ohio: 513.579.3000 or visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/ohio/central-and-southern-ohio.html
· American Red Cross Northern Ohio: https://www.redcross.org/local/ohio/northern-ohio.html
· Office of Emergency Management: 614.889.7150 or visit: http://ema.ohio.gov/
Pennsylvania
· United Way 211 (Includes Warming Center Locator): Dial 2-1-1 or visit: www.uwp.org
· American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania: 215.299.4000 or visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/southeastern-pennsylvania.html
· American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania: 412-263-3100 or visit https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/greater-pennsylvania.html
· Office of Emergency Management: 717.651.4504 or visit: https://www.pema.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Rhode Island
· United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: https://www.unitedwayri.org/get-help/2-1-1/
· American Red Cross: 401.831.7700 or visit: http://www.redcross.org/local/rhode-island
· Office of Emergency Management: 401.946.9996 or visit: www.riema.ri.gov
Wisconsin
· United Way 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 or visit: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/
· American Red Cross: 877.618.6628 or visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/wisconsin.html
· Office of Emergency Management:608.242.3232 or visit: https://wem.wi.gov/
Road Conditions
Connecticut Department of Transportation
· 860.594.2000; http://www.ct.gov/dot/site/default.asp
Delaware Department of Transportation
· Dial 511; http://www.deldot.gov/index.shtml
Illinois Department of Transportation
· Dial 511; https://idot.illinois.gov/
Maryland Department of Transportation
· Dial 511; http://md511.org/
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
· Dial 511; https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-transportation
Michigan Department of Transportation
· https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/
Minnesota Department of Transportation
· http://www.dot.state.mn.us/
New Jersey Department of Transportation
· Dial 511; http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/
New York Department of Transportation
· Dial 511; https://www.dot.ny.gov/
Ohio Department of Transportation
· 614.466.7170; http://www.dot.state.oh.us/pages/home.aspx
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
· Dial 511; https://www.penndot.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
· Dial 511; http://www.dot.ri.gov/
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
· (866) 511-9472; https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/home.aspx
Power Outage
To check your specific area, please click this link: https://poweroutage.us/
Connecticut
· Eversource Energy: 800.286.2000: https://www.eversource.com/content/
· United Illuminating Co.: 203.499.2000: https://www.uinet.com/
Delaware
· Delaware Electric Co-Op: 855.332.9090: https://www.delaware.coop/
Illinois
· Ameren: 800.755.5000: https://www.ameren.com/outage-center
· ComEd: 800.334.7661: https://www.comed.com/Outages/CheckOutageStatus/Pages/default.aspx
· Corn Belt Energy: 800.879.0339: https://cornbeltenergy.com/
Maryland
· Pepco Power: 877.737.2662: https://www.pepco.com/Outages/CheckOutageStatus/Pages/default.aspx
· Potomac Edison: 888.544.4877: http://outages.firstenergycorp.com/mdwv.html
· BGE Maryland: 877.778.2222: https://www.bge.com/Outages/CheckOutageStatus/Pages/Default.aspx
Massachusetts
· National Grid: 800.465.1212: https://www1.nationalgridus.com/ReportOrCheckOutage
· Eversource: 800.592.2000: https://www.eversource.com/content/ema-c/residential/outages
Michigan
· Great Lakes Energy: 888.485.2537: https://www.gtlakes.com/
· Consumers Energy: 800.477.5050: https://www.consumersenergy.com/
Minnesota
· Xcel Energy: 800.895.1999: https://www.xcelenergy.com/outages_and_emergencies
New Jersey
· Jersey Central Power & Light: 888.544.4877: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help.html
· PSE&G: 800.436.7734: https://nj.pseg.com/
New York
· Central Hudson: 800.452.2700: https://stormcentral.cenhud.com/
· Con Edison: 800.752.6633: https://apps.coned.com/stormcenter/external/default.html
· National Grid – Metro: 718.643.4050: https://www.nationalgridus.com/NY-Home/Default.aspx
· National Grid – Long Island: 800.490.0045
· National Grid – Upstate: 800.867.5222
· NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas): 800.572.1111
· Orange & Rockland: 877.434.4100: https://apps.coned.com/stormcenter_external_oru/default.html
· PSEG Long Island: 800.490.0075: https://mypowermap.psegliny.com/external/default.html
· RG&E: 800.743.2110: https://www.rge.com/
Ohio
· Toledo Edison: 888.544.4877: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/outages.html
Pennsylvania
· PECO: 800.841.4141: https://www.peco.com/Outages/CheckOutageStatus/Pages/OutageMap.aspx
· First Energy Corp: 888.544.4877: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help.html
Rhode Island
· National Grid: 718.643.4050: https://www1.nationalgridus.com/ReportOrCheckOutage
Wisconsin
· We Energies: 800.662.4797: https://www.we-energies.com/outages_safety/reporting/index.htm
· Alliant Energy: 800.255.4268: https://www.alliantenergy.com/
· Wisconsin Public Service: 800.450.7240: https://www.wisconsinpublicservice.com/
· Xcel Energy: 800.895.1999: https://www.xcelenergy.com/
Shelters
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
Air Quality
Monitor local air quality and follow health guidance during the wildfire smoke event:
· AirNow (EPA): Real-time U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI) by ZIP code: https://www.airnow.gov/
· AirNow Fire and Smoke Map: Live smoke plumes, fire locations and sensor readings (EPA / U.S. Forest Service): https://fire.airnow.gov/
· CDC – Wildfire Smoke Safety: How to reduce exposure and protect sensitive groups: https://www.cdc.gov/wildfires/
· EPA – Wildfire Smoke and Your Health: https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smoke-course
· National Weather Service: Official air quality, smoke and heat alerts: https://www.weather.gov/
· Ready.gov – Wildfires: General preparedness and safety guidance: https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
Connecticut
· CT DEEP Air Quality Index: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Air/Forecasting/AQI/Air-Quality-Index
Delaware
· DNREC Air Quality Forecast: https://dnrec.delaware.gov/air/quality/forecast/
Illinois
· AirNow.gov: https://www.airnow.gov/state/?name=illinois
Maryland
· Maryland Air Quality Program: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/airqualitymonitoring/pages/index.aspx
Massachusetts
· MassDEP MassAir Online: https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/dep/massair/web/
Michigan
· Michigan EGLE – MiAir: https://air-egle.hub.arcgis.com/
Minnesota
· MPCA Current Air Quality Conditions: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/current-air-quality-conditions
New Jersey
· NJDEP AQI Today: https://dep.nj.gov/airplanning/aqi-today/
New York
· NYSDEC Air Quality Index Forecast: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/air-quality/air-quality-index-forecast-current-observations
Ohio
· Ohio EPA Air Quality Index Forecasts: https://epa.ohio.gov/divisions-and-offices/air-pollution-control/reports-and-data/ohio-air-quality-index-forecasts
Pennsylvania
· PA DEP Air Quality Partnership: https://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb/
Rhode Island
· RI DEM Air Quality Forecast: https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/air-resources/air-quality-forecast
Wisconsin
· Wisconsin DNR Air Quality Map: https://airquality.wi.gov/
Airport Closures
Passengers are urged to not come to the local airport unless your flight has been confirmed. If your flight was canceled, please call your airline's customer service telephone number or rebook through your airline's website.
Flight delay information: http://www.flightstats.com/go/Home/home.do
Another option: https://www.flightaware.com/miserymap/
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