Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to worsen across Michiana

SOUTH BEND, Ind - Just earlier this month, smoke from the Canadian wildfires plagued Michiana with poor air quality, potentially causing various health concerns for at-risk groups.  

Now, just a couple weeks later, that smoke has returned.  

“This is the worst air quality we’ve seen here in Michiana since 2012” said Amber Twardy, ABC57 meteorologist.  

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management declared an air quality action day statewide for today and tomorrow due to the very unhealthy conditions.   

If you notice a burnt smell when you go outside that is due to the particles in the air from those massive wildfires in Canada. 

Michiana has reached the purple zone which means it's very unhealthy for everyone.  

“Our air quality index is currently above 200 and that’s something we haven't seen in over 10 years. What this means it we have a lot of purple showing up on our maps instead of being unhealthy for sensitive groups, it’s considered very unhealthy, so spending time outside is a very bad idea today, it's very dangerous, make things harder to breathe and make it harder to do any outdoor activities,” said Twardy.

The smoke particles consist of dust, soot, and liquid that can potentially settle deep into your lungs and cannot be easily exhaled.  

Doctor Jim Harris, an allergy and asthma specialist at the south bend clinic has a warning. 

“A certain group of patients are particularly at high risk those with asthma, emphysemas, other respiratory and cardiac conditions, but really when it gets this bad almost everybody is at risk, its irritating, its nasty and makes you cough, it makes it difficult to breathe, and so everybody is at risk for even lung damage or certainly more respiratory problems cause of the exposure,” said Harris.  

Robin Vida, the Director of Health Outreach for the St. Joseph County Department of Health wanted everyone to take precautions too---at least until the winds change direction again. 

“It all has to do with how the winds shift and right now the winds have shifted, they actually shifted late yesterday and have brought in that really intense smoky air that’s why that’s why it smells the way it does,” said Vida.