DES MOINES, Iowa — Air quality has become a national conversation in recent weeks as Canadian wildfires continue to burn.
Many U.S. cities have experienced smoke-filled skies, often prompting state or local officials to issue air quality alerts and warnings.
Lately, Iowa has been susceptible to widespread haziness because northerly and easterly winds guide the smoke into the state.
Typically the smoke remains elevated, or suspended, in the atmosphere, leading to filtered sunshine or milky coloring in the sky. When smoke is high above the ground, air quality issues are not normally a concern.
Occasionally, a cold front or other weather feature will push the smoke closer to the surface. As smoke nears the ground, air quality problems arise and a faint odor sometimes develops outside.
Until Canadian fires are completely controlled, smoke and air quality issues will periodically affect the Midwest and Northeast throughout the summer.
To keep tabs on local air quality, it's useful to visit airnow.gov for the most up-to-date information.
The website allows users to type in their zip code for current air quality reports, as well as for future air quality forecasts.
As a reminder, those with breathing difficulties, asthma, heart problems, or other underlying conditions, should limit outdoor exposure when air quality reaches a "moderate" or "unhealthy" level.
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