Does the air seem thick today? Maybe you're having trouble breathing?
Blame Canada. Well, Canadian wildfires at least. Wildfire smoke is drifting across Ohio and much of the United States, and the air quality is suffering because of it.
The National Weather Service has issued an air quality advisory for Northeast Ohio today, Aug. 5, warning that the air quality will be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, the elderly and those with breathing difficulties. AirNow.gov, a service of the NWS, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others, ranks the air quality in Akron as unhealthy as of 6 a.m. Aug. 5.
Here's what you need to know.
Why is the air quality bad in Ohio? Canadian wildfires
Canada has 59 uncontrolled wildfires and 108 controlled wildfires burning as of Monday, Aug. 4, USA TODAY reports.
The smoke drifting over the border is impacting air quality in states as far south as Texas, AirNow's data shows. The EPA has declared the air quality in states near the Canadian border as "unhealthy or "unhealthy for sensitive groups."
National Weather Service issues air quality alert for Northeast Ohio counties
The NWS has issued an air quality advisory for ground-level ozone for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties through midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 5. The NWS advises people monitor their outdoor activities and frequently check the air quality.
To help reduce ozone pollution, the NWS advises people to drive less, don't idle vehicles, fill gas tanks after sunset and wait to mow the lawn.
See map of Canadian wildfires
Wildfire and smoke map
How to stay safe from wildfire smoke
If air quality worsens in your area due to wildfire smoke, it's a good idea to limit time outdoors, experts say.
The small particles in wildfire smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat and can affect the heart and lungs, making it harder to breathe. It can also cause headaches and bronchitis.
Avoid physical exertion, including indoors, if air quality becomes unhealthy. While inside, keep windows and doors shut. Leave off any air conditioning or fan systems that pull air from outside, and use air filters or air purifiers. If you can’t buy a commercial portable air filter, you can create your own. One example is the Corsi-Rosenthal box made from simple materials of air filters, a box fan, and duct tape.
If you must go outside, you should wear a high-quality, well-fitting N95 or P100 respirator mask to protect yourself. Keep your trips outside short.
You should also watch out for your pets when air quality is bad because they can't wear a respirator mask to protect themselves, but still may need to go outside. Keep their bathroom trips outside short, and watch out for signs of distress such as red or watery eyes and nose, coughing or gagging and increased respiratory rate.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Canadian wildfire smoke create poor air quality in Ohio. See the maps
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