A string of worsening Canadian wildfires over the weekend has resulted in smoke drifting into the United States. 

Here’s what you need to know about the situation and if wildfire smoke will impact Delaware.  

Canadian wildfires 

Canada’s wildfire season is underway, with several fires increasing in intensity and causing evacuations since last week.  

ABC News reports over 100 active wildfires burning in Canada, with 91 of them located in British Columbia and Alberta provinces and officials labeling 40 of the 140 active fires as “out of control.” As the wildfires progress, areas most at risk continue to be evacuated.

Canadian wildfire smoke officially rolled into the U.S. over the weekend, with states from Montana to Wisconsin getting a whiff. Heavy smoke in Minnesota resulted in the state’s first air quality alert of 2024 being issued on May 12, remaining in place through May 13. Minnesota’s air quality index has fluctuated between “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” since the wildfire smoke breached its borders. 

Officials expect Minnesota’s smoke to be “much weaker” on Monday, but Nebraska is expected to see hazy skies during the evening.  

By sunrise on Monday, the wildfire smoke in the U.S. will likely be much weaker, with medium levels reaching from Wisconsin to southern Minnesota. 

Air quality report: ‘Delaware still has work to do’: 2024 air quality report highlights air pollution concerns

Is Delaware at risk? 

USA Today’s wildfire smoke map tracks wildfire incidents, warnings and smoke impacts across the U.S.

As of 9 a.m. on May 13, thick density smoke from Canada extending south into the northern U.S. could still be seen in Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota. The smoke also moved south into the central U.S., where it mixed with smoke from fire activity and seasonal burning in the country. The overall large smoke engulfing central and eastern U.S. could be seen moving eastward into the Atlantic Ocean.  

As for Delaware, the map shows light density smoke enveloping the region, with medium density smoke in some of the southernmost parts of Delaware.  

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Air Quality Forecast reports “good” air quality in Delaware on Monday, a value from 0 to 50, adding that the air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk. Monday’s ozone levels are at a value of 44 and a PM2.5 of 39. PM 2.5 is defined as fine, inhalable particles or droplets in the air with diameters of 2.5 micrometers and smaller.   

According to DNREC, light to moderate southerly winds will gradually transport pollutants into Delaware on Monday. Partly to mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s will aid ozone production, but regional pollutant carryover will be low, resulting in Air Quality Index levels that are high for ozone and good for PM2.5. The AQI determines how clean or polluted air is and what associated health effects might be a concern.  

By Tuesday, moderate and gusty southerly winds will enhance dispersion and increasing clouds will hinder ozone production, resulting in high AQI levels for ozone and good AQI levels for PM2.5. DNREC expects Tuesday’s ozone value to be at 40 and PM2.5 value to be at 50, both in the “good” zone.  

Wednesday is also expected to have good AQI levels for both ozone and PM2.5, with cloudy skies and periods of rain limiting ozone development and moderate easterly winds transporting clean air into Delaware.  

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.