Canadian Wildfire Smoke Is Affecting Indiana Air Quality and Creating Stunning Hazy Skies

Of everything we could import from Canada, we'd just as soon they keep what they're sending these days. Canadian wildfires are not only creating huge problems in the Great White North, but they're also having a bit of a dire effect on 12 U.S. states, and one of them is Indiana.

Air Quality Alerts

The Northeast and the Upper Midwest are bearing the brunt of drifting Canadian wildfire smoke, but areas farther south are also experiencing its effects, for better or worse. We're currently in the thick of Canadian wildfire season, or rather, they are. But since the U.S. usually feels the effects, I guess it could be "our" Canadian wildfire season, too.

What States Are Affected by the Canadian Wildfires?

There are currently more than 850 fires burning north of the border, and a dozen states are experiencing a reduction in air quality because of it. In addition to Indiana, where, as far south as Evansville, they're able to witness spectacular sunsets on the strength of the heavy haze, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Ohio have received warnings from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA says that the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached levels ranging from "unhealthy" to "hazardous." Check out this eye-popping visual from above the smoke.

The National Weather Service is also closely monitoring the situation.

If you feel like your health could be affected by the smoke, and it's possible even if you can't see the smoke, you could use an N95 mask, like the kind that were made available during the COVID pandemic. If you're concerned about it affecting your indoor climate, the EPA also suggests simply closing your windows and turning on the air conditioning, making sure it's set to cycle indoor air. Changing the filter is also a good idea.

As for how long we'll wait for the air quality to improve, storms that could materialize on Saturday would bring relief to the Northeast and Upper Midwest.