Rhode Island’s air quality to be impacted by wildfires in Canada

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environment Management said Monday another significant smoke event in Canada will be impacting the state’s air quality.

The Department of Environmental Management said Monday that an Air Quality Alert is being issued for unhealthy fine particles on the Air Quality Index.

Darren Austin, who’s with the DEM, said the heaviest of smoke is expected to affect the area Tuesday morning in the form of wood burning odors, haze, and unhealthy fine particles. It’s expected to last through the day.

He said unlike the previous Nova Scotia smoke event, which lasted almost four hours, this event is predicted to last longer and be more impactful.

Austin said large uncontrolled wildfires near Quebec have been burning over the weekend and continue to burn. He added that a significant smoke plume is impacting air quality monitors to our north and west.

Some of that smoke, he said, is supposed to affect the area after sunset Monday.

Anyone with preexisting medical conditions should stay inside with windows closed. Those outside are encouraged to wear N95 masks to reduce exposure to pollutants in smoke plumes.

For more information about DEM’s air quality forecast, visit dem.ri.gov. For the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s current air quality readings in your area, visit fire.airnow.gov.