Wildfire smoke & Air quality safety
Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality: A Complete Safety Guide Smoke from wildfires burning across Canada and Minnesota has pushed air quality alerts across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest, with a smoky haze reducing visibility as far as Washington, D.C. More than 100 million people in the U.S. have been under air quality alerts in recent days, and cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburgh have posted some of the worst air quality readings in the world. If you've stepped outside recently and noticed hazy skies, a burning smell, or irritated eyes, here's exactly what's happening, how dangerous it actually is, and what to do about it. Quick Answer: How to Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke Check your local AQI before heading outside, use AirNow.gov or a weather app. Stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when AQI is above 100. Run an air purifier or your HVAC system on recirculate mode with a high-efficiency filter. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, exe...