Embedded Files
Below are sites that report air quality:
PurpleAir (Air quality App)
https://map.purpleair.com/1/mAQI/a10/p604800/cC0#6.68/42.912/-78.673
IQAir Earth Air
https://www.iqair.com/us/air-quality-map
Below is a link to active Canadian and American Fires:
https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/usfs/map/#d:24hrs;@-75.2,42.3,5z
Hello everyone (remember Karl Haas and hear his mellifluous voice),
It seems we are being beset with continuing challenges on our annual rides, this time being air quality due to smoke from wildfires. We have recently seen how the air quality as a result of wildfires changes rapidly and can affect locations far from the wildfires (Missesota today for example being affected by fires in Alberta). The wildfires most likely to affect our trip are in Quebec north of Toronto several hundred kilometers and this week have increased significantly in size. I have included sites below which discuss this issue, though none address the challenge of cyclists riding from point a-b over many hours. The best source I have found is the last listed from Colorado State University. It is both informative and has recommendations for how to respond to different AQI levels.. The preceding 2 are informative and will continue to be since they are interactive maps and will have up to date/minute or hour levels. Please look at these sources and if you have others, distribute these to the group.
We are fortunate in that the prevailing winds around Lake Ontario are from west to east which will "tend to blow smoke" from the Quebec fires away from us but as many people have said: "Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between." (Maya Angelou)
Things to consider in preparation:
Recommend everyone bring at least 1 KN-95 mask.
Figure out transporting people from point a-b if not riding and picnic for those riding on those days with very poor air quality (really an issue if there are > 6 people not riding not including drivers). This likely will be as simple as just doing the transport with several trips of just a little more than one hour each way, but could take a large part of the day.
Send out the article from Colorado State on dealing with poor air quality to the group for their information.
Monitor the air quality maps and plan for the next day--we likely will not be able to plan further ahead unless there is a stalled weather system.
Think of other recommendations or preparations we need to consider.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-statement-wildfire-smoke
https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/when-smoke-is-in-the-air/#reduce
https://www.runtothefinish.com/running-bad-air/
https://www.iqair.com/us/canada
https://gispub.epa.gov/airnow/?showgreencontours=false
Thanks for thinking about this issue. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Chuck
Wildfire smoke can travel long distances from the fire and irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. It can make it hard to breathe and make you cough or wheeze. People with certain health conditions need to be especially careful about breathing wildfire smoke. People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and heart disease, as well as children and pregnant people should take extra precautions when wildfire smoke is a threat in their area. Stay safe when exposed to wildfire smoke and always follow instructions given by local emergency management officials.
Keep Smoke Outside and Reduce Indoor Smoke
Choose
filtering the air. If you use a do-it-yourself box fan filtration unit, never leave it unattended.
Avoid using candles, gas, propane, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, or aerosol sprays. Don’t fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products, or vacuum.
If you have a central air conditioning system, use high efficiency filters to capture fine particles from smoke. If your system has a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode or close the outdoor intake damper.
If You Must Go Outdoors
Stay aware of the current air quality conditions in your area. Frequently monitor air quality conditions in your area by visiting your state health department’s air quality website or the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) U.S. Fire and Smoke Map. Listen to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for emergency alerts.
Limit your time outdoors. Outdoor work and activities should be rescheduled to a time when air quality improves. If you must work outdoors, only perform activities that are essential and, if possible, take frequent breaks indoors where the air is clean.
Wear a respirator IF recommended. A respirator is a high-quality mask that fits tightly to your face to filter smoke out. If you have heart or lung disease or other medical issues, ask your doctor if it is safe for you to wear a respirator. NIOSH Approved respirators do not come in sizes that fit very young children. However, children ages 2 years and older can wear respirators. Follow user instructions for the respirator.
Get medical help if you need it, especially if you have asthma, COPD, heart disease, or are pregnant
Additional Re
Ready Wrigley Prepares for Wildfire Smoke an activity book for children; also available in Spanish
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