The Smoke Of The Canadian Wildfires Is Impacting The Quad Cities

A massive wildfire outbreak burning across Canada is sending smoke hundreds of miles across North America, and yes, it is impacting the Quad Cities.

So…are we already seeing it?

The Short Answer: Yes, At Least Some Of It

Canada is currently battling more than 800 active wildfires, with many of them burning out of control. Strong winds high in the atmosphere have been carrying smoke south into the United States, creating hazy skies and poor air quality across parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes. (ABC News)

Air Quality Map - Updates on ABC News

Some of that smoke has already drifted into Iowa and Illinois, including eastern Iowa, according to weather officials. The National Weather Service says smoke from the Canadian wildfires is expected to linger across the region through the next several days.

Will The Quad Cities Get The Worst Of It?

Probably not.

The thickest smoke has been impacting states farther north like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and northern Illinois. Some cities have even recorded “Very Unhealthy” or “Hazardous” air quality as the smoke settled closer to the ground.

Here in the Quad Cities, we’re more likely to notice:

• Hazy or milky-looking skies
• Colorful orange and red sunsets
• Reduced visibility
• Occasionally poorer air quality, depending on wind direction

Whether the smoke becomes more noticeable here depends entirely on where the winds shift over the next few days.

Getty Images

Should You Be Worried?

For most healthy people, the smoke probably won’t cause major problems beyond making the sky look a little different.

However, if air quality drops into the “Unhealthy” range, people with asthma, heart disease, COPD, young children, and older adults may want to limit time outdoors. Even healthy people should avoid strenuous outdoor exercise if the air becomes smoky.

Why Can Smoke Travel So Far?

Wildfire smoke is made up of tiny particles that can rise thousands of feet into the atmosphere. Once they’re caught in the jet stream, they can travel hundreds, even thousands of miles before drifting back toward the ground.

That’s why fires burning in Canada can eventually affect places like Iowa, Illinois, and even the East Coast.

So…If The Sky Looks Smoky, You’re Not Imagining It

The haze you’re seeing around the Quad Cities could very well be smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

While we’re not expected to experience the dangerous air quality some northern states are seeing, we’ll likely continue to notice hazier skies as long as the smoke keeps drifting south.

If you’re planning to spend a lot of time outside over the next few days, it’s worth checking the daily Air Quality Index before heading out, especially if you have asthma or other breathing conditions.