North Dakota is feeling the effects of wildfires blazing miles away across the border. As the air conditions fluctuate, you’ll want to be in the know for how bad the smoke is and if you should be taking precautions before going outdoors. Here’s everything we currently know about the situation and what you can expect in the coming days.
If you live in eastern North Dakota, especially in the Red River Valley, you may have noticed a smoky haze in the sky over the past week and beyond. This haze is being caused by ongoing wildfires. Local fire departments are telling locals they might be able to smell the smoke, as well.
Amber Lien/Flickr
The wildfires have burned around 2 million acres of land in Alberta, Canada. The fires started in March of 2019 and are still ongoing as of July of 2019.
USFWSHQ/Flickr
Giant clouds of smoke have been created by these fires, and due to wind currents came all the way to the Valley.
mattspinner/Flickr
The smoke caused air quality advisories to be put into effect in areas around eastern ND and western MN. While our neighbor state is still within that smoke advisory, the winds are currently pushing the smoke out of North Dakota and it should clear up soon.
NASA Johnson/Flickr
If you are sensitive to air quality, you should take precautions when going outside if there is smoke in the air. The NOAA has a map of where the smoke currently is and how bad it is right here.
Darla Hueske/Flickr
Along with the NOAA map, you can also check the official North Dakota Air Quality Monitoring page. As the wildfires continue to burn and wind currents change, the smoke may return to the area, so it is best to stay informed.
Amber Lien/Flickr
USFWSHQ/Flickr
mattspinner/Flickr
NASA Johnson/Flickr
Darla Hueske/Flickr
Similar wildfire smoke came through North Dakota last year, and a local photographer took some incredible photos of the effects of the haze. Read about it and see them right here.
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