A graphic from Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre shows the amount of active fires and is updated frequently.
Graphic by Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
HANCOCK COUNTY – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management posted multiple press releases over the last few weeks regarding the air quality across the state from the Canada fires, and there may be more to come.
IDEM stated that most areas in Indiana have been through a few Air Quality Action Days as smoke travels south from the fires, making Greenfield reach a reading of “unhealthy” a few days the last couple weeks.
These action days are determined daily and go based on weather conditions. IDEM says those include light winds, dry and hot air, stagnant conditions, and lower atmospheric inversions that trap pollutants close to the ground.
As of 1 p.m. on July 5, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre listed that there are currently 633 fires actively burning. Of those 633 fires, 333 are out of control, 111 are being held and 189 are under control. There have been more than 130 fires started since June 29, when there were 499 fires reported.
The website also states that they are at national preparedness level five, meaning they are currently using all their national resources to combat these fires.
Air quality forecasts in Indiana are determined daily and go based on what meteorologists report from examining weather patterns and the current amount of fine particle matter, or PM2.5, from the Canadian fires. They also take into consideration the ozone readings.
Barry Sneed, public information officer for IDEM said the particles are smaller than a human hair, which measures 75 micrometers wide, according to IDEM’s website. PM2.5 measure at just 2.5 micrometers wide
From the press release, IDEM states “PM2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled.”
When the air quality for Greenfield has been listed as unhealthy, sensitive groups including elderly and children are advised to stay inside. Someone is also considered to be in a sensitive group if they have lung conditions beforehand, such as asthma. These groups are advised to limit work outside and move activities indoors.
Gary Sharp, health officer for Hancock County Health Department said that during this time, masks may not do the trick.
“Unfortunately, masks aren’t real helpful,” Sharp said. “… Try to stay inside if you can in air conditioning, obviously take your medications and call your physician or go to the emergency room if you’re having significant respiratory symptoms.”
Despite the air quality concerns the past couple weeks, some outdoor events continued. Holly Plank, vice president of the 4-H Agriculture Association, mentioned that during this time, the Hancock County 4-H Agriculture Association wanted to remind visitors to use their best judgment based on personal circumstances.
As far as how long Indiana will be affected, Sneed said in an email that “It is difficult to put a timeline on how long smoke will affect Indiana and the rest of the United States as it is dependent on how long the fires continue to burn and shifting weather patterns.”
While an exact timeline of how long Indiana will see the effects from the Canada fires is unknown, in the meantime Hooisers are encouraged by to help reduce pollution by carpooling, combining all errands into one trip, avoid getting gas until after 7 p.m. and conserve energy by turning off lights when not in use.
