Canadian wildfires to cause smoke, low air quality in New Hampshire, Maine. See map
While the smoke may cloud your vision of the sky or ruin a day at the beach on this week's warmest days of the season so far, it is more than just a nuisance. All across the U.S., the smoke is causing poor air quality, which can cause health effects from mild symptoms in the healthy to dangerous risks for sensitive groups.
An air quality warning has been issued for Portsmouth by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
Here's what to know about the wildfire smoke and its effects in New Hampshire and Maine.
In Maine, smoke should begin to thin out on Thursday. In New Hampshire, the hazy skies are currently expected to last through Friday. A cold front is expected to move into New Hampshire this weekend, causing rain showers and thunderstorms that will likely help to push most of the smoke out of the region, according to the National Weather Service.
However, smoke may continue to affect the region if Canada's wildfires continue for longer. Currently, there are almost 200 wildfires still active in Canada, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
NH summer weather: When will it get hot in New Hampshire? See Farmers' Almanac summer forecast
Due to the traveling wildfire smoke, an air quality alert has been issued for both southeastern New Hampshire and the coast of Maine.
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services warns of unhealthy air quality due to elevated ozone and dangerous fine particles in the air in Rockingham County, including Portsmouth. In Maine, particle pollution levels are expected to rise statewide, while ozone levels will become unhealthy for sensitive groups on Wednesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 5.
Both states advise that individuals limit outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects, including irritated sinuses, stinging eyes, coughing, shortness of breath and even a rapid heartbeat. People who may be especially sensitive to the air pollutants include children, the elderly, those with heart disease and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Smoke map: Air quality alert issued for NH due to Canadian wildfires
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
9 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Hurricane Erin strengthens again near Caribbean Islands
Advertisement Here's what you need to know Tropical storm watches were issued for multiple islands in the Caribbean, though some were discontinued as Erin continued moving west-northwest late Saturday. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they expect it to be an above-average season, with up to 18 named storms by the time it ends in November. A typical season has 14 named storms. The Trump administration has slashed the number of employees at many of the agencies traditionally responsible for planning for and responding to natural disasters, including NOAA, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. So far, it is unclear how those cuts might affect the accuracy of forecasts. The weather service could begin hiring again soon. This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hurricane Erin Triggers Evacuation Orders Along Parts Of North Carolina's Outer Banks
Hurricane Erin isn't expected to directly hit the U.S. East Coast, but by doubling or tripling in size, its impacts threatened the North Carolina Outer Banks, the thin, low stretch of barrier islands off the mainland, that poke far out into the Atlantic Ocean, Dare County emergency officials said as they declared a state of emergency. They ordered an evacuation of Hatteras Island starting Monday. Several days of heavy surf and high winds and waves could wash out parts of North Carolina Highway 12, which connects the popular vacation spot to the mainland, the National Weather Service said. The center of the storm is forecast to stay at least 200 miles from the Outer Banks but will also bring rip tides all along the East Coast, officials said. (MORE: Here's The Latest On Hurricane Erin) Bermuda could have similar conditions as Erin is forecast to turn to the north and then northeast, forecasters said. Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, reached an exceedingly dangerous Category 5 status Saturday with maximum winds of 160 mph before weakening. The storm's maximum sustained winds were 125 mph Sunday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The winds decreased as the storm went through internal changes. Erin is expected to remain powerful for the next several days and is expected to strengthen somewhat over the next 48 hours as it grows, forecasters said Sunday afternoon. 'You're dealing with a major hurricane. The intensity is fluctuating. It's a dangerous hurricane in any event,' said Richard Pasch of the National Hurricane Center. (MORE: Track Hurricane Erin With These Maps) The rain and winds from the outer bands of the storm left about 147,000 customers without power Sunday morning in Puerto Rico, according to Luma Energy, a private company that oversees the transmission and distribution of power on the island. The weather canceled more than 20 flights, officials said. Swells were also expected to affect portions of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands during the next couple of days, forecasters said. The Coast Guard allowed all ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to reopen on Sunday as winds and rains in the area decreased.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
'100 Foot' Waves Are Reportedly Heading For The U.S.
'100 Foot' Waves Are Reportedly Heading For The U.S. originally appeared on The Spun. Hurricane Erin is heading for the United States and so, too, could some massive waves, reaching more than 100 feet in height. The major storm, which is currently a Category 3 hurricane, is weakening as it approaches the United States. Still, it could have serious impact on much of the East Coast. The storm is currently impacting the Turks and Caicos Islands while wreaking havoc in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The hurricane initially reached Category 5 status, before weakening as it got closer to the United States. But while the storm has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, it could still cause some major, major swells on U.S. beaches. Jean-Raymond Bidlot, senior scientist in ocean modeling at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), told Newsweek that he believes monster waves are possible, due to the severity of the incoming storm. The waves could reach a striking height. How big could the Hurricane Erin waves actually get? Bidlot told Newsweek that he thinks the waves could reach 100 feet in height, if not taller. 'The latest forecast does indeed indicate that the largest significant wave height could reach values in excess of 50 feet with an associated most likely largest wave of more than 100 feet," he told Newsweek. It's unlikely that those waves could be seen from a U.S. beach, but they could be approaching the East Coast. "Hurricanes are known for their very powerful winds, usually confined to an area around the storm center, but as indicated, waves tend to radiate away from the storms, propagating towards coastal areas even though the brunt of the storm might still be miles away from the coast," he added. "These storm-driven waves might not be the largest but will still be significant and have the potential to create very hazardous conditions when reaching the shore leading to intense surf conditions and dangerous rip currents well before the arrival of the storm clouds and rain associated with the hurricane." Meanwhile, another scientist suggested that the 100 foot mark was probably not going to happen. 'While 100 feet can't be ruled out, I think they would only be possible if the storm become a Category 4 or 5 storm. I think waves near the center of 50-75 feet are much more realistic (assuming a Category 3 storm), said AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva. The National Weather Service is warning about rip currents While the truly massive 50 to 100 feet waves are not likely to impact those on U.S. beaches, rip currents could. The major hurricane could impact rip currents, which can cause life-threatening situations. The National Weather Service issued an official warning ahead of the storm potentially making landfall. "Stay calm and relax. Float to conserve energy. Rip currents don't pull you under. Don't swim against the current. You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach. If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. Call and wave for assistance," the NWS stated. Stay safe in the water this week as Hurricane Erin approaches. '100 Foot' Waves Are Reportedly Heading For The U.S. first appeared on The Spun on Aug 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
