Wolfe, E., & Sutton, J. (2023, July 26). Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires blankets northern US cities with Air Pollution. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/25/weather/canadian-wildfire-us-air-pollution/index.html
Smoke from fires in Canada has moved across Northern states. This has led to pollution and poor air quality that is hazardous to people’s health. Because of this, “Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit, Michigan, were ranked among the most polluted cities in the world.” In Illinois and a couple of other states, the EPA “has declared an ‘Air Pollution Action Day’.” “Children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease, and pregnant people” are most at risk and are recommended to stay inside. This has been Canada’s worst fire season on record.
Despite the fires happening in Canada, the United States is heavily affected by them, which is a considerable problem for both sides. It is similar to how the pollution we create goes upwind to Canada, disadvantaging them although it is the United States making it. Additionally, wildfire seasons are on track to worsen due to climate change; therefore, smoke and other pollutants from them are also aiming to worsen not just in Canada but in areas prone to wildfires in the United States, as they have been before. Still, organization in stopping the fires makes me hopeful about how the United States can work on preventing air pollution and climate change that leads to it.
It is very alarming that the spreading fires are such a hazard to people’s health. Do you think there is anyway to stop fires that isn’t related to slowing climate change?
Hi, thanks for your comment! I said the same thing below, but I found an article about a substance that is used in stopping fires. https://news.stanford.edu/2019/09/30/new-treatment-prevents-wildfires/ It was made in 2019, so I hope it can be used on a wider scale.
This is similar to the way wildfires are spreading in Califorina. In sourthern california there have been many fires that destroy peoples homes. I wonder how we could create more fire pervention to deal with this issue?
Thanks for your comment! I found this interesting article that talks about a gel-like substance that people are using to prevent wildfires. I doubt it could work on a large scale, but it’s a great start! https://news.stanford.edu/2019/09/30/new-treatment-prevents-wildfires/
The health concerns of those who are living in those areas should not be taken lightly. With that being said, as a whole, what can we as people do to help other than taken measures to stop climate change?
Thanks for commenting. Given that the Canadian wildfires were sparked by lightning, it’s hard to stop the origin. I can’t think of any preventative measures against nature exactly, but better preparation to stop them would probably help.
This is like the manner in which fierce blazes are spreading in Califorina. In sourthern california there have been many flames that annihilate people groups homes.
Thanks for your reply. Yes, they’re definitely a direct and immediate threat as well.