The air quality has been good in Grand Portage over the past week. Smoke has not traveled from either the Pagami Creek Fire or the fires in Ontario. 
If you smell smoke and see haze from the Pagami wildfire, you may want to limit your outdoor activities. Currently in Grand Portage, the air quality is good, but the air quality is unhealthy this morning in the Boundary Waters near Ely. Yesterday afternoon at my home near Colvill, smoke blew in from the fire and was present for about an hour. The levels of particulates from the smoke are changing depending on wind conditions, so pay attention to how you may be affected by the smoke. Symptoms from inhaling woodsmoke are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and headaches. If you have an existing lung or cardiovascular condition, be very careful around wood smoke and remain indoors while smoke levels remain elevated. 
The smoke levels are changing quickly. Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michcigan are having air quality alerts. Chicago was experiencing haze from the Pagami Fire yesterday (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune). I was in Grand Marais on Monday when the fire increased and the smoke plume went through town. The sun was a bright, fire red, and the smell of wood smoke took over the town. Yesterday, smoke spread to Grand Portage in the afternoon and for a few hours haze filled the air.
Friday 8/19/11
On July 19th an Air Quality Alert was posted because fires in Ontario caused smoke to become elevated in Grand Portage. Smoke contains small particulates, and the monitor located at Trust Lands measures levels of particulates in the air on an hourly basis. Fires in Ontario are still burning and several new fires started this week; however, the air quality has been good to moderate, and fine particulates have not reached levels that could cause health effects in people. The Grand Portage Air Program will provide updates as long as the fires are still burning. If levels of particulates become elevated, another air quality alert will be posted.
Possible Health Effects from Fire Smoke
Precautions You Can Take to Limit Health Effects from Fire Smoke
Monitor Grand Portage air quality: http://www.mwhazecam.net/grand.html
Look for updates on the Grand Portage Air Quality blog: http://gpairquality.blogspot.com/
Monitor air quality nationwide: http://www.airnow.gov/.
The fires in Canada are still burning. Check out these maps to see where the fires are located. Smoke contains fine particles that are inhaled deep into the lungs, which can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular disease. The level of particulates can increase in Grand Portage and Cook County due to the forest fires in Ontario, so please check the air quality daily, especially before exercising outdoors. High humidity can increase the levels of particulates and cause haze to worsen, and northern winds may draw the smoke down to Cook County.
The amount of fine particulates in the air in Grand Portage is low this morning. I smelled smoke at my house near Colville on Saturday morning, but the rain quickly cleaned up the air. The fires are still burning in Canada, so keep checking the air quality at the Grand Portage hazecamera, especially for children elders, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. High amounts of particulates can exacerbate heart and lung disease.Air Quality Advisory
Tuesday, 7/19/11
Fires in Canada are creating elevated levels of smoke and hazy conditions in Grand Portage. Smoke contains small particulates, and the monitor located at Trust Lands measures levels of particulates in the air on an hourly basis. The amount of these particulates in the air has spiked since 9:00 last night to levels that could have negative health impacts on young children, elders, and those with asthma or respiratory illness. Beginning at 2:00 AM today, the particulates reached a level where everyone may begin to experience health effects and sensitive individuals may experience serious health effects.
Possible Health Effects from Fire Smoke
· Eye and throat irritation
· Respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath
· Aggravation of asthma and heart or lung disease
Precautions You Can Take to Limit Health Effects
· Everyone, especially children, the elderly and other sensitive individuals should avoid vigorous exercise outdoors.
· Avoid drawing smoky air indoors: use an air conditioner if you have one and keep it on the recycle/recirculate mode. If you are using a fan, place them away from a window, where they would draw in smoky air.
Call Yvette at 475-2027 if you have any questions.
