A statement from the Office of the First Selectman, issued Wednesday, June 7 noted that as of 12:00pm, smoke from the Canadian wildfires continued to be present in Connecticut.
“We are being advised by the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection that there is an area of dense smoke modeled to move into Connecticut over the next few hours and remain in the area until early Thursday morning,” First Selectman Camillo said in a statement.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued an Air Quality Action Day for fine particulates through midnight Wednesday.
An Air Quality Action Day means that fine particulate concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
Camillo said residents may want to consider limiting outdoor activities and keeping windows closed to limit exposure to the possible smoke in the area. Health officials are urging people with heart or lung disease, children and older adults to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Air quality is expected to remain at “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” levels with no improvements until Thursday at the earliest.
In Stamford Mayor Simmons said in an eblast at 2:17pm that the Stamford Department of Health, and the Connecticut Department of Health recommend all residents avoid all outdoor activities and exposure today and remain indoors, especially for residents with asthma or heart and lung conditions. Stamford canceled all after school and recreational activities and school fields remain closed.
The National Weather Service has extended its Air Quality Alert until 12 am Friday, June 9th.
Simmons noted the Connecticut Department of Health advised residents to keep all windows and doors closed to keep smoke outdoors.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protections monitors the state’s air quality and posts air quality forecasts each day on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Residents can subscribe to the Air Quality Index here.