Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "More of the same, as far as what we had yesterday," National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Alumbaugh tells WBEN. "We'll have a sky that will be similar to Monday, where you could barely see the sun."
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality advisory for Western New York on Wednesday, as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to billow into the region.
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Again Wednesday, you'll be able to see it and smell it, says Alumbaugh. "The plume of this next, thicker plume of smoke is just on our doorstep, it's just starting to move in from the north."
We'll see the smoke again Thursday, Alumbaugh says, with some improvement Friday. "It's not a good situation."
HEALTH CONCERNS
An Air uality Alert is posted as fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. This matter can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g. vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
Exposure can cause short-term health effects, such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.
People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.
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When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high.
Activities Canceled
As a precaution, the Buffalo Public School District has canceled all outside activities during the school day on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
The District recommends that children with respiratory issues, such as asthma, limit their time outdoors. The high amount of fine particulate matter in the air should be taken very seriously.
The Buffalo Public Schools standards for indoor air quality ensure appropriate air quality in its schools.
The District will continue to keep families notified of any changes or recommendations that the State makes.
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT WEDNESDAY NIGHT
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Albany has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Fine Particulates until midnight EDT Wednesday night.
Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 125 for Fine Particulates. The Air Quality Index...or AQI...was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value...the greater the health concern.
When pollution levels are elevated...the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.
Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.