Canadian Wildfire Smoke Causes Hazardous Air in Ohio
- Jul 16
- 1 min read
Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires is sweeping into Ohio, triggering statewide Air Quality Advisories. In parts of northern Ohio, air pollution has reached "hazardous" and "very unhealthy" levels on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Experts are warning residents to limit their time outdoors
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool that the government uses to tell people how clean or dirty the air is. It uses a color scale (like green for good, orange for unhealthy, red for bad, and purple/maroon for hazardous).
The air is hazardous in many areas. Here are a few important facts about what is happening:
Why it's bad: Tiny smoke particles from Canadian wildfires have drifted down into Ohio. This acts like secondhand smoke for everyone. In some areas, AQI readings have hit the hazardous tier.
Who it hurts: Poor air makes it hard for everyone to breathe. It is especially dangerous for kids, older adults, and people with breathing problems like asthma.
What you should do: Keep your windows and doors closed. Turn on your air conditioning. If you must go outside, wear a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask to filter out the smoke.
Where to find updates: Check your current city's status on the AirNow website.
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