Press Release: Urgent Air Quality Awareness for North Dakotans as Wildfire Season Intensifies
As wildfire seasons expand, North Dakotans are urged to utilize an online tool to monitor local air quality. Recent forecasts indicate that residents may experience smoky air and hazy skies due to wildfires burning in Canada. Ryan Mills, Ambient Air Monitoring Manager for the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, noted a concerning trend: “We’ve seen an early uptick in smoke by May, instead of later in June or July as in previous years.”
While the causes of longer, more destructive wildfire seasons aren’t directly monitored by the department, experts point to climate change as a contributing factor. The website and mobile app AirNow.gov provides real-time updates on air quality, especially crucial for individuals with respiratory conditions, who should limit outdoor activities during alerts.
Mills advises that once an air quality alert is issued and smoke is detectable, residents should take precautions to minimize indoor pollution by closing windows and reducing outdoor exposure. Users can also adjust air conditioning systems to recirculate indoor air. Color-coded online maps indicate safety levels for outdoor activity, with orange, red, and purple zones indicating poor air quality.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
