Wildfire smoke from Canada moves into the U.S., prompting health alerts in several states

A massive wildfire in Canada has burned at least 13,000 acres and displaced nearly 6,500 residents, reminding New Jersey residents of the summer of 2023 when smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted east, blocking out the sun.

A blanket of smoke has been moving into the U.S., triggering air quality alerts in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, according to CNN.

Where are the Canadian wildfires?

The main, massive wildfire is happening in the western Canadian province of British Columbia, around the Parker Lake Recreation Site, a park about 1,000 miles north of Seattle.

There are 146 other active wildfires burning. Dozens are taking place in British Columbia and Alberta and are currently classified as “out of control,” according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

What's the air quality in NJ?

Air quality in New Jersey has remained good. As of Monday afternoon, the air quality index was 28. Air quality is considered unhealthy when the index is at or above 100.

So far, air quality here doesn't seem likely to worsen in the foreseeable future, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

Air quality in Minnesota has been among the worst impacted by wildfires. On Monday afternoon, the index stood at 152, the National Weather Service in Ramsey, Minnesota reported.

What is the air quality index?

The air quality index is a standardized rating system that assesses the severity of air pollution on a scale ranging from 0 to 500. Administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it calculates this index by evaluating five major pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.

Among these, ground-level ozone and particle matter, commonly referred to as particle pollution, are the most significant threats to public health. When it comes to wildfire haze, most of it is particle pollution.

When is wildfire season?

It depends on where you are. In the U.S., most wildfires happen in the west during the summer and fall, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Canada's wildfire season typically starts in May and ends in September, peaking in June and July.

When is wildfire season in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, wildfire season typically runs from mid March through mid May, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Around those months, low humidity meets windy conditions and can cause fires anywhere there are large amounts of dry vegetation.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Canadian wildfire smoke moves into the U.S. How's the air in NJ?