Smoke from wildfires in Canada fills Mid-Ohio Valley skies
The smog shrouded Memorial Bridge as seen through the Sixth Street Rail Bridge across the Ohio River. The two bridges are less than a mile apart. (Photo by Art Smith)
The Island Belle makes its way towards Blennerhassett Island in front of a thick layer of smog along U.S. 50 Wednesday. (Photo by Art Smith)
Thick smog covers the area around Ann and Fourth streets Wednesday. (Photo by Art Smith)
Cars on the Belpre Bridge and a train on the Sixth Street Rail Bridge cross into Parkersburg in front of a thick layer of smog Wednesday. (Photo by Art Smith)
Downtown Marietta was covered with a thick layer of smoke Wednesday as smog caused by fires in Canada caused poor air quality in the local area. (Photo by Art Smith)
The smog shrouded Memorial Bridge as seen through the Sixth Street Rail Bridge across the Ohio River. The two bridges are less than a mile apart. (Photo by Art Smith)
The Island Belle makes its way towards Blennerhassett Island in front of a thick layer of smog along U.S. 50 Wednesday. (Photo by Art Smith)
Thick smog covers the area around Ann and Fourth streets Wednesday. (Photo by Art Smith)
Cars on the Belpre Bridge and a train on the Sixth Street Rail Bridge cross into Parkersburg in front of a thick layer of smog Wednesday. (Photo by Art Smith)
Downtown Marietta was covered with a thick layer of smoke Wednesday as smog caused by fires in Canada caused poor air quality in the local area. (Photo by Art Smith)
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PARKERSBURG -- As a smoky haze has settled over the valley for the last couple of days caused by wildfires up in Canada, officials in both West Virginia and Ohio are advising people to be mindful when going outside.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the Ohio Department of Health, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, the Belpre/Marietta Health Department and the Washington County Health Department are advising people to be aware as smoke drifts down from wildfires burning in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and elsewhere.
Some media reports are saying it is the worst wildfire season Canada has seen in around 30 years.
MOVHD Public Information Officer Amy Phelps said people should visit AirNow (fire.airnow.gov) to find the Air Quality Index for their area and pay attention to any local air quality reports issued.
"If you are advised to stay indoors, try to as much as possible," she said. "Run your air conditioner if you have one and avoid indoor air pollution as well, such as smoking or vaping.
"If you are outside doing activities and notice a breathing issue, go indoors immediately. For those with asthma or other breathing issues, follow your doctor's directions on medication and your treatment plan. If symptoms worsen, call your healthcare provider. As always, if anyone is really struggling to breathe, call 911."
The WVDEP's Division of Air Quality and the state Department of Health and Human Resources' (DHHR) Bureau for Public Health (BPH) issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory on Wednesday for fine particulate matter as smoke from the wildfires continues to impact air quality in the eastern United States.
According to AirNow.gov, unofficial air monitors indicate counties in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle (Air Quality Index score of 201-300), the Morgantown-Clarksburg-Fairmont area (151-200), and the Charleston area (101-150) are currently the most impacted in the state. The Parkersburg area had a "moderate" rating as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday with an Airquality Index score of 51-100.
The Ohio EPA issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory as smoke continues to adversely impact air quality. The Ohio EPA expected the Air Quality Index on Wednesday to be in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "very unhealthy" ranges.
The Belpre/Marietta Health Department and the Washington County Health Department referred to a press release from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). In the release, ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff is encouraging Ohioans to be aware of possible health effects, as the smoke is causing poor air quality in the state.
For the second time in three weeks, the wildfire smoke has created unhealthy conditions in Ohio, according to the release.
"It is important to take poor air quality seriously, as exposure to smoke can cause health problems," Vanderhoff said. "Certain groups of people are at higher risk, such as those with chronic heart or lung disease, children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Please take precautions until these conditions improve."
Smoke from wildfires contains particulates. Particulates can be inhaled into a person's lungs and cause irritation of the eyes, nose or throat, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain; and can also aggravate chronic heart and lung conditions, the release said.
The most important precaution is to limit outdoor activity, especially outdoor exercise, and spend more time indoors.
Other precautions include:
¯ Spend time in a room you can close off from outside air.
¯ Avoid using candles, gas, propane, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and aerosol sprays. Smoking tobacco products and vacuuming may worsen indoor air pollution.
¯ If you have a central air conditioning system, use high efficiency filters to capture fine particles from smoke. If your system has a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode or close the outdoor intake damper.
¯ Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. If your eyes, nose or throat are irritated, running a humidifier may provide some relief.
It also is important to check in on anyone who is more at risk and to carefully monitor children. Those with asthma are encouraged to carefully follow their asthma action plan.
People are advised to make sure they have enough medication for several days, the press release said.
Those with heart disease or COPD should pay close attention to symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, a fast heartbeat, feeling more out of breath than usual, or extreme fatigue.
The National Weather Service in Charleston is forecasting widespread haze today. It will be mostly sunny, with a high near 86. There will be a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms this evening. Showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday after 2 p.m. and into the evening with a 70% chance of rain with a high of 83. Rain is also expected Saturday, Sunday and into Monday with the chance for rain between 60 and 70%.