It’s wildfire season. How smoke, poor air quality can impact health — even for people who live far away
Korin Miller
Three major California wildfires are raging right now, with the Airport, Bridge and Line fires burning more than 115,000 acres of land this month. Canada has also been struggling with wildfire season, with fires in several western provinces.
But while these wildfires create unhealthy air conditions for people who live in surrounding areas, that smoke and particulate matter can drift, affecting those who live thousands of miles away. Currently, the National Weather Service is warning residents who live around the Great Lakes of wafting wildfire smoke, which can create a “campfire smell” in the air, dim the sun and spark air-quality issues.