How much longer will smoke from Canada last in CT? Experts explain

Connolly said forecasting the air quality is complex since numerous factors are working together to create the thick haze and smoky smell outside.

The region could see some improvement toward the weekend, but it will depend on several factors, according to John Cristantello, a lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s New York Office. Some of those factors include how the fires causing the smoke burn, how soon they can be extinguished and whether the winds funneling the smoke to New England shift.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warned that climate change could worsen the fire season, potentially making these air quality events more common. 

“Scientists predict that the fire season in Canada will be longer and more intense as a result of climate change, so there is a chance we will see more of these kinds of events,” EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash said in a statement Thursday.

By early Thursday afternoon, the air was considered “unhealthy” across most of the state, meaning the amount of fine particle pollution could cause some health effects to the general public. Connecticut’s air ranged from 155 in Groton and up to 180 in Bridgeport on the air quality index, according to data from AirNow.gov. 

There was some improvement in the easternmost parts of Windham and New London counties, which had air considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” and fell between 101 and 150 on the air quality index. The northeast corner of Windham County, including Putnam, had “moderate” air quality between 51 and 100 on the air quality index, data showed. 

Just the day before, multiple sites in southwestern Connecticut reported “hazardous” levels — 301 or higher on the scale. 

The unhealthy air has caused many schools to postpone outdoor activities, such as field trips, or move them inside. After consulting with meteorologists and medical professionals, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athlete Conference postponed Thursday’s boys and girls lacrosse state tournament semifinals to Friday. 

Gov. Ned Lamont urged Connecticut residents to stay inside as the smoke produced unhealthy levels. 

“If you don’t need to be outside, particularly if you have respiratory issues or other similar ailments, it is strongly encouraged to stay indoors to the greatest extent possible until air quality improves,” Lamont said in a statement released by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 

Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, reiterated that people should “avoid being outdoors for prolonged periods of time, if possible.” 

“Those with underlying medical conditions, as well as children and older adults, are considered sensitive populations and are most at risk,” she added.

“KN95 and N95 masks are effective at filtering smoke; if you have one available, consider wearing one while outdoors until the air quality improves,” the commissioner said, referring to two commonly available types of respirator masks.

Many hospitals in the state were operating business as usual and did not see an influx of patients Thursday, despite the poor air quality, according to the Connecticut Hospital Association. 

“We do know that there are serious health risks related to these conditions, especially for individuals who have respiratory issues, and reasonable precautions are important to protect the public’s health, including limiting time outdoors until the air quality improves, as discussed in various advisories,” the association said in a statement. “Connecticut’s hospitals and health systems are ready to treat all patients if they are experiencing exacerbated respiratory conditions.”

The state Department of Public Health reported a slightly higher number of asthma visits at emergency departments and urgent care centers in the past few days compared with last week.

However, DPH noted it wasn’t enough days to draw conclusions. The agency also noted the number of cases are not much different compared to certain periods of bad allergy seasons.

St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport saw a slight uptick in patients in the past two days, but the number leveled off by Thursday, according to Dr. Steven Valassis, the chair of emergency medicine for the hospital. 

Valassis said the hospital mainly saw more patients complaining of respiratory issues, such as shortness of breath and wheezing. 

Yale New Haven Health, Stamford Health, UConn Health and Nuvance Health, which has emergency departments at Norwalk, Danbury, New Milford and Sharon hospitals, also had not seen an influx in patients with air-quality-related conditions Thursday. 

Dr. Brooks Walsh, who specializes in emergency medicine at Bridgeport Hospital, a Yale New Haven Health facility, said Wednesday he is concerned about the smoke impacting people’s decisions about whether to seek medical care. Exposure to these small particulates can cause a number of problems beyond temporary irritation and is strongly linked to increased heart attacks, strokes and blood clots in the lungs, he said.

“I would worry that someone delays care thinking that it’s just the smoke causing a little problem, a little irritation in their chest perhaps or some shortness of breath,” he said. He encouraged people to seek emergency care if they have a serious condition and concerns. 

He also is concerned about how the smoke impacts residents’ chronic exposure to pollution. 

“We have issues in Connecticut, and especially in certain communities in Connecticut, with chronic exposure to particulate pollution,” he said.

“I think this is something new for us,” he said. “And we’re not used to processing this threat yet and, unfortunately, it looks like we may become more used to it in the future.”