Westport Residents Warned Of Unhealthy Air From Canadian Wildfires

The following announcement is from the Westport Office of Emergency Management:

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport Office of Emergency Management is issuing an important air quality alert for our community. The smoke from the Canadian wildfires has led to unhealthy air conditions in our area.

We are closely monitoring a significant smoke area moving towards Connecticut from Upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania. This means that more smoke is on its way, expected to arrive within a few hours.

The air quality is currently deemed unhealthy, with the presence of harmful pollutants. We anticipate the concentration of smoke to be highest tonight and early Thursday morning, with lower levels persisting throughout Thursday.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has declared an Air Quality Action Day for fine particulates until midnight tonight. This means that the concentration of fine particles in our region will continue to approach or exceed unhealthy levels.

We urge all residents to prioritize their health by taking precautions. If you have respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies, it is recommended to limit your time outdoors and stay indoors as much as possible. Closing windows and doors can help minimize smoke entering your home. Consider using air purifiers or setting your air conditioning to recirculation mode to improve indoor air quality.

The Westport Office of Emergency Management will closely monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. Stay informed and stay safe.