Wildfire smoke forecast to blanket parts of the U.S. again this week. These will be the most affected states.

Smoke from fires burning in the Pacific Northwest is creating hazy skies and unhealthy conditions across much of the United States this week. The massive plume of smoke expected to spread as far as Florida comes less than two weeks after the Midwest and Northeast were hit with record levels of dangerous air pollution caused by wildfires in Canada.

As of Monday morning, 51 large uncontrolled fires Fires in Oregon and Washington, along with smaller fires across the region, have cumulatively burned more than 1.5 million acres of wildland. There were also more than 22 uncontrolled people fires In British Columbia, just north of Washington.

The fires caused unhealthy air quality in parts of eastern Oregon and generally unhealthy conditions in parts of Washington and Idaho. All three states have issued advisories urging residents to limit the time they spend outdoors to avoid levels of harmful airborne particles that can cause a range of health problems, especially for vulnerable groups.

The smog is not as widespread or severe as the historically toxic air that affected the Midwest and Northeast earlier this month, creating concentrations of pollutants more than 10 times the level considered hazardous to anyone under the control of the Environmental Protection Agency. Air Quality Index.

Forecasters expect air quality in areas near the fires to reach dangerous levels on Tuesday. The smoke is also expected to travel thousands of miles from the northern United States into the Midwest and then into parts of the South. latest predictions It shows that parts of Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota are experiencing unhealthy air quality at least through Tuesday. Some of the smoke is expected to reach Florida but is not expected to pose a significant health risk.

Why was the smog so bad this year?

Many environmental factors influence the severity and frequency of fires, and nearly all of them are working against the United States and Canada this summer. Last winter for beginners historically hotThis meant that forests became drier during months when they would normally be able to replenish their moisture. The warm winter also caused less snow to accumulate in the mountains, and spring melt reduced the amount of water in the regions.

Similar experiences have occurred recently in the United States and Canada. Severe and prolonged heat waves It absorbed more moisture from the trees, bushes and grasses that fueled the fires.

“The remarkable overlap between record-breaking heat, dryness, and/or low snowpack and these fires is certainly no coincidence,” climate scientist Daniel Swain wrote in a paper. social media post Sunday.

As with all extreme weather events, it is impossible to determine exactly how much climate change is affecting a single fire or series of fires. But Swain explained that you can’t really understand what’s going on without accounting for climate warming.

“Climate change is certainly not the only factor at play in any of these regions. But it is also a rapidly growing factor, and in some of these ‘end state’ extremes it is likely to even be the leading factor.” wrote.

Why is wildfire smoke dangerous?

Smoke from fires is full of harmful gases and tiny particles that can cause a wide range of serious health problems for people exposed.

“Fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke is particularly dangerous because it can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, potentially damaging many body systems, including the cardiovascular and nervous systems,” said Jessica Yu, a research scientist at Stanford University. panel discussion at school last year. Yu’s co-researcher Lisa Patel estimated that wildfire smoke is “10 times more toxic” than typical air pollution.

Wildfire smoke is especially dangerous for members. sensitive groupsincluding people with heart or lung disease, older adults, young children, and people at risk of long-term exposure, such as outdoor workers.

How to stay safe?

healthcare professionals to say The #1 way to protect yourself from wildfire smoke is to limit your exposure to smoke as much as possible. Avoid going out unless absolutely necessary and keep trips as short as possible. Sources like AirNowThe federal government’s national air quality monitoring system can help you understand how serious the risk is and plan accordingly.

If you are going out, health officials recommend that you wear a mask, but not every mask will do the job. Experts say surgical masks, like those most commonly used during the COVID-19 pandemic, provide only minimal protection against particulate matter in wildfire smoke. Respirators such as N95 are much more effective.

It is important to keep all windows and doors securely closed when indoors. Running the air conditioner can help filter airborne particles, but make sure the system recirculates the air already inside the house without drawing in new air from outside. It may be helpful to use a commercial air filter or create your own using a fan and other household items.

Authorities may also use a section of your home as “clean room“This is a place specifically insulated from wildfire smoke, where the entire household can gather until the risk has passed.”