Thick, choking plumes of smoke from Canada’s wildfires are pouring into major cities across the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic, bringing dangerous air quality to more than 100 million people. The polluted air will last through at least Saturday in some areas as new waves of smoke waft south.

Air Quality Alerts

More than 100 million people in 18 states and the District of Columbia are under Air Quality Alerts, many of which note that the air pollution is so high, even healthy adults will be affected. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone, according to the Washington, DC, air quality council.

The smoke is being carried south from Canada in the wind. On Friday, the plume pushed farther south, making the DC area the new East Coast epicenter of air pollution. The weather patterns will determine which parts of the US have the worst smoke each day.

Relief is coming: poor air quality is likely to be an issue through Saturday as the wind pushes the smoke back into the Northeast. But rain and storms are in the forecast, which will help wash the smoke out of the air and provide some relief.

Wildfire smoke contains dangerous, tiny pollutants called PM2.5 that can travel deep into the lungs or enter the bloodstream when inhaled. The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease, and other health conditions.

People with lung or heart disease, children, and older adults are especially at risk for smoke-related illness. The National Weather Service advises people to avoid smoke by limiting outdoor activities and keeping windows closed overnight.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.