The skies are not an eerie orange as they are along the East Coast, but the wildfires to the north are affecting the air here in Wood County.
The Ohio EPA has issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory.
This advisory was issued because of the more than 400 wildfires in Canada and a few in Michigan due to the very dry weather.
According to the Wood County Emergency Management Agency, to put this in perspective, this is the first time in over 20 years the area has dealt with these types of air quality issues.
While this region is not expected to have the smog and visibility concerns the East Coast has, local residents should do what they can to limit exposure potential. The sensitive groups identified include but are not necessarily limited to those with respiratory ailments (asthma, emphysema, COPD, black lung disease, etc.), and the very young or old.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) monitors five major pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act. Congress established the Clean Air Act in 1970, with multiple major revisions over the years. The five major pollutants monitored are: ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particle pollution (particulate matter).
The link to the Air Quality Advisory Website is: https://www.airnow.gov/state/?name=ohio&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery
The link to Wood County conditions is: https://fire.airnow.gov/?lat=41.37213500000007&lng=-83.64582999999999&zoom=8
Depending on when you review the data, there can be various levels in the region.
The AQI is rated on a scale from 0-500:
Green-Good: 0-50 no risk
Yellow-Moderate 51-100 a concern for those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Orange- Unhealthy 101-150 sensitive groups people will start to experience health effects: sensitive population will be more severe.
Red-Unhealthy 151-200 Sensitive groups should consider moving outdoor activities inside, everyone else reduce long or intense outdoor activity.
Purple- Very Unhealthy 201-300 Sensitive groups should avoid all physical outdoor activities, consider moving activities indoors.
Maroon- Hazardous 301-500 Everyone should avoid all outdoor physical activities.
An air quality advisory for wildfires is not common for Northwest Ohio. Throughout the day, the air quality levels will fluctuate. It is important to remember, if you are outside exposure to air quality is greater risk than when inside. When planning to be outside, keep an eye on air quality conditions.
Recommendations
- Monitor current Air Quality Index
- Schedule outdoor activity for morning or evening when levels are usually lower.
- Move outdoor events and/or activities inside when possible.
- If you are vulnerable, remain inside (in air conditioning, windows closed) as much as possible.
- Reduce level of physical activity, such as walking instead of running.
- Do not add to the indoor pollution such as burning candles.
- Replace air conditioner filters.
- Use home air filtration systems on high.
- Seek medical attention if you experience shortness of breath.
- Face masks can be used, however they should be high quality, proper fitting N95 are recommended. Dust, bandana and “gator” style masks will provide very little protection for this event.
Weather patterns are anticipated to shift this weekend bringing rain off and on throughout Tuesday. This should be enough to move the local air quality back into the good range.
Wood County EMA will provide further updates as appropriate.
