Canadian Wildfire Smoke Over MD Prompts Orange Air Quality Alert Through Tuesday

MARYLAND — Wildfire smoke from Canada moving through Maryland from midday Monday through midday Tuesday has prompted the Maryland Department of the Environment to issue an Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange) air quality alert for the western and northern areas of the state.

"Additionally, smoke is ushering in higher ozone concentrations, leading to ozone pushing the USG level as well in some of these same areas, but particularly for the northeastern half of the state, along and north of I-95. Smoke will arrive to the I-95 corridor by midday Monday," according to MDE's air forecast.

Under a code orange, people in sensitive groups are advised to stay inside if possible. This includes older adults, children, teens and people with heart or lung disease, according to AirNow.gov.

The smoke passing through Maryland Monday and Tuesday is relatively diffuse compared to that experienced earlier in the summer, according to MDE. The south and east portions of the state will see lower concentrations of fine particle pollution levels.

Although the higher concentrations of smoke are expected to leave the region on Tuesday, residual smoke will remain, according to MDE. In the absence of clouds or rain showers, USG air quality may be an issue due to the higher ozone levels.

Extensive swaths of the northern United States awoke to unhealthy air quality Monday morning or were experiencing it by mid-afternoon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow.gov Smoke and Fire map.

Fine particle pollution caused by smoke from Canada’s wildfires is causing a red zone air quality index, meaning it is unhealthy for everyone. The particles, known as PM2.5, are tiny enough to get deep into the lungs and cause short-term problems like coughing and itchy eyes, and in the long run, can affect the lungs and heart.

If ozone and/or fine particles persist, the region may see a Moderate (yellow) API forecast for Wednesday, according to the MDE. Although a moderate API is acceptable, some people, especially those who are particularly sensitive to air pollution, may be at risk.

Relief from the smoke crossing the Canadian-U.S. border won’t be immediate, experts said. Large fires in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan are likely to keep churning out smoke throughout the summer and possibly into early fall, said Montana Department of Environmental Quality meteorologist Aaron Ofseyer.

“The worst is over with this round,” Ofseyer said. “Unfortunately there’s still a ton of wildfire smoke north of the border. Anytime we get a North wind we’re going to be dealing with Canadian wildfire smoke.”

The air quality index forecast for the metro Baltimore, the Maryland Piedmont and the D.C. area is expected to be 102 (orange) on Tuesday and a moderate 58 (yellow) on Wednesday.

Expect to see widespread haze across the Baltimore-Washington region under mostly sunny skies on Monday afternoon, with a high near 94, according to the National Weather Service. The haze will continue into the evening under partly cloudy skies, with a low of 76.

The following is the five-day forecast for the Baltimore region from the National Weather Service.

Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Widespread haze before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 90.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 71.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 91.

The Associated Press contributed to the reporting of this story.