What is the air quality like on the Great Plains and Midwest?

Air quality is in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” range in multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces in the Great Plains and Midwest on September 6, 2023. Air quality alerts have been issued for multiple states and cities.

Where is the air quality “Unhealthy”?

Air quality monitors are measuring concentrations of PM2.5 in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” range in the following states, provinces, and cities:

• British Columbia and Saskatchewan
• Alberta, including Edmonton
• Manitoba, including Winnipeg
• Montana, including Billings
• Wyoming, including Cheyenne
• Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota
• Nebraska, including Omaha
• Kansas, including Wichita and Topeka
• Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa
• Iowa, including Des Moines
• Missouri, including Kansas City
• Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois

Shifting wind direction could bring wildfire smoke to other cities in the region, such as Minneapolis, Chicago, and Denver.

PM2.5 is particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter. The most commonly found air pollutant in wildfire smoke, PM2.5 is linked to cardiac and pulmonary disease.

Are there any schools affected by poor air quality in the Great Plains and Midwest?

On Tuesday, September 5, students in Billings, Montana schools were required to stay indoors and sports events were moved indoors due to measured concentrations of PM2.5 in the “Unhealthy” air quality range.

Air quality was in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range for the city on Wednesday.

What is causing poor air quality in the Great Plains and Midwest?

Wildfire smoke from multiple fires in Western Canada is drifting southeast. A severe heatwave is also affecting Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois, along with much of the southern and eastern United States

How can I protect myself from poor air quality?

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.