--- title: Canadian Wildfires Create U.S. Health Concerns description: Smoke from Canadian wildfires is causing air pollution levels in the northeastern United States to rise to dangerously high levels. image: https://blog.aem.eco/hubfs/canada%20widfires%20us%20health.jpg --- [![AEM logo header](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/AEM_RGB-Logo-Colour_RGB-Logo-Colour-Mar-30-2022-02-04-12-03-PM.png?width=196&name=AEM_RGB-Logo-Colour_RGB-Logo-Colour-Mar-30-2022-02-04-12-03-PM.png)AEM Logo Header](https://aem.eco/) - Solutions ### Solutions - #### Data & Software - #### [AEM Elements® 360](https://aem.eco/product/elements-360/) - #### [Sferic Maps®](https://aem.eco/product/sferic-maps/) - #### [Data and APIs](https://aem.eco/product-type/data-api/) - #### Hardware - #### [Systems](https://aem.eco/product-type/systems/) - #### [Sensors](https://aem.eco/product-type/sensors/) - #### [Data Collection](https://aem.eco/product-type/data-collection/) - #### [Cameras](https://aem.eco/product-type/cameras/) - #### [Alerting](https://aem.eco/product-type/alerting/) - #### [Telemetry](https://aem.eco/product-type/telemetry/) - #### [Accessories](https://aem.eco/product-type/accessories/) - #### Professional Services - #### [Meteorological Services](https://aem.eco/service/meteorological-services/) - #### [Hydromet Services](https://aem.eco/service/hydromet-services/) - #### [Network Design](https://aem.eco/service/network-design/) - #### [Field Services & Installation](https://aem.eco/service/field-services-installation/) - #### [Maintenance and Calibration](https://aem.eco/service/maintenance/) - #### [Training](https://aem.eco/service/training/) - #### Solutions - #### [Flood Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/flood-risk-management/) - #### [Severe Weather Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/severe-weather-risk-management/) - #### [Wildfire Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/wildfire-risk-management/) - #### [Precision Agriculture](https://aem.eco/solution/precision-agriculture/) - #### [Lightning Detection](https://aem.eco/solution/lightning-detection/) - #### [Dam Safety](https://aem.eco/solution/dam-safety/) - #### [Community Weather](https://aem.eco/solution/personal-weather/) #### AEM Elements® Resiliency Platform Your essential toolkit for weather forecasting, hazard detection, and emergency response coordination. [Learn more](https://lp.aem.eco/aem-elements-resiliency-platform-launch) - Industries ### Industries - #### [Agriculture Monitor growing conditions to improve yields and reduce waste.](https://aem.eco/industry/agriculture/) - #### [Aviation Keep crews aware of severe weather.](https://aem.eco/industry/aviation/) - #### [Club & Sport Keep athletes, members, and staff safe.](https://aem.eco/industry/club-sport/) - #### [Construction Secure job sites, workers, and deadlines against weather.](https://aem.eco/industry/construction-engineering/) - #### [Education Protect students from lightning and heat stress.](https://aem.eco/industry/education/) - #### [Energy Utilities Prepare and respond to weather-related outages.](https://aem.eco/industry/energy-utility/) - #### [National Governments Protect citizens and infrastructure.](https://aem.eco/industry/government/) - #### [Ground Transportation Monitor dangerous road conditions.](https://aem.eco/industry/ground-transportation/) - #### [Manufacturing Minimize weather impact and demonstrate compliance.](https://aem.eco/industry/manufacturing/) - #### [Maritime Anticipate bad weather to keep crews and cargo safe.](https://aem.eco/industry/maritime/) - #### [Military Stay prepared from severe weather disruptions.](https://aem.eco/industry/military/) - #### [Mining Protect workers and optimize operations.](https://aem.eco/industry/mining/) - #### [Renewable Energy Protect and manage critical infrastructure.](https://aem.eco/industry/renewable-energy/) - #### [States & Municipalities Safeguard communities from severe weather events.](https://aem.eco/industry/states-municipalities/) - #### [Water Utilities Minimize disruption and keep water safe.](https://aem.eco/industry/water-utility/) #### A Buying Guide for Airport Operations An effective approach to mitigating weather risks includes three stages: Analyze, Plan, and Implement. [Download guide](https://lp.aem.eco/airport_buying_guide) - [Resources](https://aem.eco/resources/) ### Resources & Insights - #### [Blog Articles and perspectives to grow your weather resiliency knowledge.](https://blog.aem.eco/?_gl=1*59kdv5*_gcl_au*MTg2MzM2NDE1OC4xNzQwNTA5ODg1*_ga*MTE5Njc5MjQ1MC4xNzQwNTA5ODg1*_ga_ZQ24JNBSJ0*MTc0NjAxMTA4MC41MC4xLjE3NDYwMTg0NzguNTkuMC44NTE1NzUxMjQ.) - #### [Case Studies See how our customers have transformed into weather readiness leaders.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=case-study) - #### [Demos Learn the benefits and outcomes you can achieve using AEM products.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=demo) - #### [Podcast Hear straight from industry experts on data, trends, stories, and anomalies.](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2juJxrdXIUpTAaMkfCuY26DuiWoUVY1E) - #### [Product & Data Sheets See the specifications of our weather stations, sensors, and hardware.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=data-sheet) - #### [Reports & Guides Connect with insights from our research team and proprietary data.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=report) - #### [Solution Overviews Learn how we align solutions to today’s growing weather challenges.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=solution-overview) - #### [Webinars Sign up for upcoming learning sessions or watch events on demand.](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=webinar) #### 2025 U.S. Lightning Report A deep dive into 2025 U.S. lightning activity powered by data from AEM’s Earth Networks Total Lightning Network®. [View the Report](https://aem.eco/2025-united-states-lightning-report/) - Company ### Company - #### [About us The world’s essential source for environmental insights.](https://aem.eco/about-us/) - #### [Our Offices We serve markets around the world with local staff.](https://aem.eco/our-offices/) - #### [Brands Learn about the deep histories of the brands behind our technology.](https://aem.eco/our-brands/) - #### [Partners Become a partner and build resilient communities with AEM.](https://aem.eco/partners/) - #### [Careers Come join our mission-driven culture and make a difference around the world.](https://aem.eco/careers/) - #### [In the News Key organizational updates and news from AEM.](https://aem.eco/press-center/) - #### [ISO and SOC 2 Compliance View certificates, access reports, and learn how we protect your data.](https://aem.eco/iso-and-soc-2-compliance/) #### Partner with AEM Provide your customers with the tools and data they need in the face of escalating environmental risks. [Become a Partner](https://aem.eco/partners/) - [Contact us](https://aem.eco/contact-us/) # Canadian Wildfires Create U.S. Health Concerns [Severe Weather Risk Management](https://blog.aem.eco/tag/severe-weather-risk-management) [Wildfire Risk Management](https://blog.aem.eco/tag/wildfire-risk-management) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.aem.eco/canadian-fires-create-us-health-concerns) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.aem.eco/canadian-fires-create-us-health-concerns) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.aem.eco/canadian-fires-create-us-health-concerns) ![](https://blog.aem.eco/hubfs/canada%20widfires%20us%20health.jpg) Canadian officials have warned that the country is on track to see its [worst wildfire season ever](https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/feds-warn-2023-on-track-to-be-the-worst-fire-season-ever-seen-in-canada-1.6428922). As if that’s not enough, the effects of the fires are being felt far beyond where they are taking place. Their smoke is causing air pollution levels in the northeastern United States to rise to dangerously high levels. ## Canada is having an historic wildfire season Canada has already had to endure [more than 2,200 wildfires](https://www.npr.org/2023/06/06/1180508544/heres-how-canadian-wildfires-are-worsening-air-quality-across-the-u-s) this year. As of June 6, 424 fires were *still* actively raging across Canada, with a large portion of them [concentrated in Quebec](https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/06/us/new-york-air-pollution-canada-wildfires-climate/). The province, which has already experienced twice its average number of wildfires for this time of year, had 150 fires that were actively burning fires as of this week. [![WildfireReport_PromoBanner1_Blog](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20and%20Videos/Promotional%20Banners/WildfireReport_PromoBanner1_Blog.jpg?width=756&height=187&name=WildfireReport_PromoBanner1_Blog.jpg)](https://s39920.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AEM_2024_Wildfire-Report.pdf) ## Canada's fires are impacting U.S. air quality The smoke from those fires has been [working its way south](https://youtu.be/eEMdmylG3Ho) to wreak havoc on air quality in the U.S. To give you an idea of just how severe it has been, at one point on June 6, New York City had the worst air quality of any major metropolitan area – worse than cities like New Delhi, Baghdad, and Qatar. > My husband [@joe\_viterbo](https://twitter.com/joe_viterbo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) took the one on the left yesterday and the one on the right tonight 😳 [pic.twitter.com/fEptt0kELK](https://t.co/fEptt0kELK) > > — SpeechieTeachieNY (@SpeechTeachNY) [June 7, 2023](https://twitter.com/SpeechTeachNY/status/1666259400191885312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) As a result, New York City public schools had to cancel outdoor activities. > Following guidance from City health agencies, all NYC Public Schools will be canceling all outdoor activities. > > Where possible, activities can be moved inside. > > This is a developing situation, and we will keep schools updated as new information becomes available. > > — NYC Public Schools (@NYCSchools) [June 7, 2023](https://twitter.com/NYCSchools/status/1666289066030034951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) But the impact has been far wider than just New York City. The impacts on air quality have been felt as far south as South Carolina and as far west as Minnesota, with the most severe impacts generally concentrated around New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. ## Why wildfire smoke is such a concern Wildfire smoke contains tiny particulate matter that is only 2.5 microns in size ([PM2.5](https://www.npr.org/2023/06/06/1180508544/heres-how-canadian-wildfires-are-worsening-air-quality-across-the-u-s)). On June 6, the concentration of PM2.5 in New York City was about 10 times the recommended limit. The problem with these tiny pollutants is that they can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. PM2.5 has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. According to the [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health), outdoor air pollution accounted for about 4.2 million premature deaths in 2019. The danger presented by wildfire pollutants varies with the vulnerability of those who are exposed to them and their concentration in the air. Those who are more vulnerable or exposed to higher concentrations of pollutants face higher danger. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indexes pollution on a scale 0 to 301+. It’s called the Air Quality Index (AQI), and higher AQI values represent greater danger. | **AQI Value** | **Rating** | **Explanation** | | --- | --- | --- | | 0-50 | Good | Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk | | 51-100 | Moderate | Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. | | 101-150 | Unhealthy for sensitive groups | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to affected. | | 151-200 | Unhealthy | Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. | | 201-300 | Very unhealthy | Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. | | 301+ | Hazardous | Health warning of emergency conditions; everyone is more likely to be affected. | Even as this blog post is being written, we can observe Hazardous levels of pollution extending from areas in central New York down to Washington, DC. And [New York City’s current AQI](https://www.iqair.com/us/world-air-quality-ranking) is at 353, once again making it the city with the worst air quality in the world. ## How to protect yourself against pollution The [California Air Resources Board (CARB)](https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/protecting-yourself-wildfire-smoke) recommends that you monitor local air quality, and when it is poor, take the following precautions: - Stay indoors. - Avoid breathing smoke. - Use N95 masks. - Install a high-efficiency air filter with a MERV 13 rating or higher. - Use a CARB-certified air cleaner. An excellent resource for real-time updates on air quality is AEM’s [WeatherLink Air Quality Map](https://www.weatherlink.com/map/airquality), which is maintained under our Davis Instruments brand. [Every dot on the map](https://www.davisinstruments.com/blogs/newsletter/check-out-our-new-airlink-air-quality-map) represents an [AirLink Air Quality Monitor](https://www.davisinstruments.com/pages/airlink) that is sending live data to the WeatherLink Cloud. Each data point is provided by a weather enthusiast who has chosen to share their data publicly with our global network. Best of all, we make this information freely accessible as a public service. [![weatherlink air quality map](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/weatherlink%20air%20quality%20map.png?width=1274&height=633&name=weatherlink%20air%20quality%20map.png)](https://www.weatherlink.com/map/684fd8b5-a885-4828-9c82-bb9827f17034) [Find my AQI level](https://www.weatherlink.com/map/41b57645-eb88-4b3f-8d5a-7a80a4aea602)   79630775190, 110654571351,87062014270 ### Related Blog Posts ### Subscribe for updates ![AEM Logo footer](https://blog.aem.eco/hs-fs/hubfs/aem-logo.png?width=292&name=aem-logo.png "AEM Logo footer") AEM 12410 Milestone Center Drive Suite 300 Germantown, MD 20876 [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-environmental-monitoring) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Advanced-Environmental-Monitoring-AEM-110375228108391) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIEVCZ05K4xayt5yXed48AA) #### Data & Software - [AEM Elements® 360](https://aem.eco/product/elements-360/) - [Sferic Maps®](https://aem.eco/product/sferic-maps) - [Data and APIs](https://aem.eco/product-type/data-api/) #### Hardware - [Systems](https://aem.eco/product-type/systems/) - [Sensors](https://aem.eco/product-type/sensors/) - [Data Collection](https://aem.eco/product-type/data-collection/) - [Cameras](https://aem.eco/product-type/cameras/) - [Alerting](https://aem.eco/product-type/alerting/) - [Telemetry](https://aem.eco/product-type/telemetry/) - [Accessories](https://aem.eco/product-type/accessories/) #### Professional Services - [Meteorological Services](https://aem.eco/service/meteorological-services/) - [Hydromet Services](https://aem.eco/service/hydromet-services/) - [Network Design](https://aem.eco/service/network-design/) - [Field Services & Installation](https://aem.eco/service/field-services-installation/) - [Maintenance and Calibration](https://aem.eco/service/maintenance/) - [Training](https://aem.eco/service/training/) #### Solutions - [Flood Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/flood-risk-management/) - [Severe Weather Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/severe-weather-risk-management/) - [Wildfire Risk Management](https://aem.eco/solution/wildfire-risk-management/) - [Precision Agriculture](https://aem.eco/solution/precision-agriculture/) - [Lightning Detection](https://aem.eco/solution/lightning-detection/) - [Dam Safety](https://aem.eco/solution/dam-safety/) - [Community Weather](https://aem.eco/solution/personal-weather/) #### Industries - [Agriculture](https://aem.eco/industry/agriculture/) - [Aviation](https://aem.eco/industry/aviation/) - [Club & Sport](https://aem.eco/industry/club-sport/) - [Construction](https://aem.eco/industry/construction-engineering/) - [Education](https://aem.eco/industry/education/) - [Energy Utilities](https://aem.eco/industry/energy-utility/) - [National Governments](https://aem.eco/industry/government/) - [Ground Transportation](https://aem.eco/industry/ground-transportation/) - [Manufacturing](https://aem.eco/industry/manufacturing/) - [Maritime](https://aem.eco/industry/maritime/) - [Military](https://aem.eco/industry/military/) - [Mining](https://aem.eco/industry/mining/) - [Renewable Energy](https://aem.eco/industry/renewable-energy/) - [States & Municipalities](https://aem.eco/industry/states-municipalities/) - [Water Utilities](https://aem.eco/industry/water-utility/) #### Resources & Insights - [Blog](https://blog.aem.eco/) - [Case Studies](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=case-study) - [Demos](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=demo) - [Podcast](https://www.youtube.com/@AEM_eco/podcasts) - [Product & Data Sheets](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=data-sheet) - [Reports & Guides](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=report) - [Solution Guides](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=solution-guide) - [Solution Overviews](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=solution-overview) - [Webinars](https://aem.eco/resources/?filter-category=webinar) #### Company - [About Us](https://aem.eco/about-us/) - [Our Offices](https://aem.eco/our-offices/) - [Brands](https://aem.eco/our-brands/) - [Partners](https://aem.eco/partners/) - [Careers](https://aem.eco/careers/) - [In the News](https://aem.eco/press-center/) Copyright © 2026 AEM [Privacy Policy](https://aem.eco/privacy-policy) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=37371&fmt=gif)