Canadian wildfire smoke impacted air quality in the Midwest this past week, canceling many outdoor activities for a few days.
On Tuesday afternoon, Linn County Public Health made an announcement that particulate air quality in Linn County was not acceptable, with ambient levels of fine particulate matter above the 24-hour air quality health standard.
A number of activities in Mount Vernon and Lisbon were postponed or canceled due to the events, including Lisbon parks and recreation activities, Tuneful Tuesdays concerts and other outdoor activities. Wednesday saw many more outdoor activities postponed, including the Lisbon varsity softball match. As well, pool lessons and use of the pool in Mount Vernon and splash pad in Lisbon were reduced.
The haze was visible throughout the downtown on Tuesday through Thursday, especially when members of the Main Street Iowa programs were touring the uptown for lunch and shopping as part of their event.
This isn’t the first time the smoke from the Canadian wildfires has impacted the area, as the haze and particulates also made their way in the sky in early June.
This stretch, however, was for a much longer period of time and the particulates made breathing for those with lung or heart diseases a struggle. Particles can also lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.
Linn County Public Health recommended people limit their exposure to outdoors and the fine particles by limiting strenuous activities during those times outdoors.
The air quality was expected to improve by Thursday, June 29, as winds and temperatures shifted directions.
Tips for reducing particle pollution on days when levels are expected to be high:
• Reduce the number of trips you take in your car.
• Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.