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Community Alert Regarding Canadian Wildfires
From Morris County Officials:
Morris County Smoke Alert Remains Active
Air Quality Monitoring In Effect Due to Impacts of Canadian Wildfires
The Morris County Office of Emergency Management, in partnership with the Morris County Division of Public Health, continues to monitor the smoke that we are experiencing in Morris County and is working collaboratively on this issue. The alert that was released yesterday remains active until notified otherwise.
ALERT: The smoke wafting through Morris County today is blowing in from wildfires in Canada and impacting air quality throughout the Northeast. Morris County OEM asks residents to remain vigilant regarding any local fires, but to know why smoke is filling the air today. The National Weather Service is tracking the conditions.
The smoke from the wildfires in Canada particularly affect persons with chronic cardiac and respiratory issues or ailments. It is recommended that persons with such issues or sensitivities refrain from outdoor activities especially arduous tasks.
Many Morris County schools have been contacted on the issue and communication outreach is an ongoing effort with the public.
Although Morris County was listed yesterday afternoon at the time of our posting as having an “Air Quality Alert”, the alerts for today do not list Morris County.
Our Morris County Division of Public Health has contacted the State to determine if any additional guidance/recommendations will be released.
At this time, we are leaving our ALERT as ACTIVE and in place for Morris County!
For real-time updates on this issue, please follow Morris County Office of Emergency Management on Facebook.
Additional information that was developed for COVID-19, but contains important information for persons with respiratory ailments, is also available on the CDC website.
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Wildfire Info from Morris County Division of Public Health:
Please be aware of the poor air quality in our region due to the Canadian wildfires. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a “Code Orange” air quality alert for Wednesday, June 7, 2023 for North & Central New Jersey.
This means that the poor air quality could impact individuals with asthma, heart conditions, the elderly, and youth. It has been recommended that communities at large to curtail outdoor activities, especially for the groups listed above.
We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
Outdoor activities should be reconsidered for the groups above for the time being.
The NJDEP is also recommending the monitoring of the following site which provides updated air quality status for precise locations, an interactive map, and monitor readings:
Below you will find a link to the CDC’s public health recommendations for wildfires. Public Health Strategies to Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke during the COVID-19 Pandemic | CDC
More information from the CDC: Wildfires|CDC
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The Governor’s Office has issued the following press release concerning air quality issues stemming from the Canadian wildfires:
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has declared an Air Quality Action Day for Particulate Matter for Wednesday, June 7. Levels of fine particulates will rise into the unhealthy range for sensitive groups statewide today and potentially extend into the evening hours due to wildfire smoke transport from the Canadian wildfires. Governor Phil Murphy released the following statement in response to today’s air quality in New Jersey:
“My team is in close coordination with the State Department of Environmental Protection as we vigilantly monitor the effects of the Canadian wildfires on air quality in our state. As conditions worsen statewide, I strongly urge all sensitive individuals – including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young – to stay safe and limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors today. Make no mistake, from the wildfires in Canada to those cropping up with increasing frequency and severity in our own backyard, these extreme weather events are tangible – and devastating – evidence of the intensifying climate crisis. As the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service works tirelessly to protect our residents and properties across the state, we will continue to do our own part by pursuing the bold action our climate reality demands.”
For additional air quality information in New Jersey, click here. For additional recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, click here.
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From the Borough of Florham Park:
The smoke from the wildfires in Canada particularly affect persons with chronic cardiac and respiratory issues or ailments. It is recommended that persons with such issues or sensitivities refrain from outdoor activities especially arduous tasks.
The NJDEP is also recommending the monitoring of the following site which provides updated air quality status: https://www.airnow.gov/
The CDC provides public health recommendations for wildfires at the following websites:
Public Health Strategies to Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke during the COVID-19 Pandemic | CDC (although the public health emergency is over, the information on the site is valuable to persons with respiratory issues).
Please also see these additional, helpful links:
https://dep.nj.gov/airplanning/aqi-today/
https://www.nj.gov/dep/airmon/
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From Mendham Township Community Alerts:
Canadian wildfires are currently impacting air quality throughout the Northeast and in our area. Residents should be assured that there are no fire related occurrences in Mendham Township, but should remain vigilant as always.
For additional information and guidance on navigating poor air quality conditions, please visit the following websites:
Natural Disasters and Severe Weather: Wildfires
Wildfire Smoke and Public Health
Air Quality Data in Your Area
Air Quality Evaluation and Planning
New Jersey Air Now
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From Washington Township Fire Chief:
Canadian Wildfires Causing Haze and Smoke Conditions in Our Area
"The Canadian wildfires continue to burn out of control. Weather conditions make it possible for the smoke from those fires to blow south into the United States and affect our region. The possibility of "smoke conditions" and the smell of burning leaves or brush will be apparent over the next several days. We ask that you do not overload the 911 system with questions regarding this issue. However, if you witness a fire of any type, or smoke coming from any structure, please do not hesitate and call 911 immediately. It is anticipated that the smoke haze will linger over our area for the next few days."
