CLEVELAND — Canadian wildfires in 2023 impacted the air in Northeast Ohio in ways we weren't used to seeing, so when the downtown Cleveland skyline looked hazy on May 16, it raised the question:
THE QUESTION
Are the Canadian wildfires happening now impact our air quality?
THE SOURCES
Our sources to VERIFY this answer are:
- Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN)
- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- And the Commissioner of Air Quality within the Cleveland Department of Public Health, David Hearne.
THE EXPLANATION
NRCAN is a Canadian government department that publishes the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
We checked that service to confirm that there are active wildfires happening in Canada, right now.
We also talked to Cleveland Department of Public Health Commissioner of Air Quality David Hearne.
Hearne told us that the air quality in Cleveland on Wednesday and Thursday was "moderate" for fine particulate air pollution. That helps show them that our air quality is being impacted by the wildfire smoke originating in Canada.
He said they arrived at this conclusion "based on our local monitors as well as the USEPA AirNow Fire and Smoke Mapping Tool."
Ohio EPA Press Secretary Bryant Somerville told us that this is happening because "a swath drifted into the far Midwest earlier this week, and while levels have drastically decreased, the winds have been favorable for a portion of [Canadian wildfire smoke] to reach Ohio."
THE ANSWER
So we can VERIFY that, yes, Canadian wildfires happening now are impacting our air quality.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
That's not the only thing at play when it comes to what you're seeing in the sky, but when it comes to what you're feeling, Hearne told us:
"When the air quality is “'moderate' for fine particulate pollution, people who are unusually sensitive to particle pollution may experience respiratory symptoms."
So if you're feeling eye, nose or throat irritation, the effect of Canadian wildfire smoke could be the reason why.
The Ohio EPA says that the smoke will likely stay in the area through Friday, but the pollution level shouldn't get worse.
"A cold front is also expected to pass through Friday, bringing rain and a shift in the jet stream," Somerville said, meaning cleaner air should move in over the weekend.