Parts of Pa. got hazy because of intense western wildfires. It could happen more often

Rachel McDevitt

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I report on energy and the environment for StateImpact Pennsylvania at WITF.

My work focuses on responses and solutions to climate change in the state legislature and communities around the state. I trace my interest in these issues back to my time as a Girl Scout and this episode of Rocko’s Modern Life.

I look forward to winter just for the chance to ski a few times each season. I try to keep myself from doom-scrolling on my phone by keeping my hands busy knitting and learning to play the piano.

I grew up in Cambria County, Pa. and graduated from Temple University. I started at WITF just after Christmas in 2014.

Rachel McDevitt / StateImpact Pennsylvania

Haze from wildfires covers a mountain seen from Swatara Township, Dauphin County on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

July 24, 2021 | 9:10 AM

Recent air quality alerts in Pennsylvania that were caused by pollution from wildfires in the western United States and Canada could become more frequent with climate change.

Meteorologist Sean Sublette of Climate Central said consistent Jet Stream winds blew a huge volume of wildfire smoke to the east. The large amount of smoke allowed it to better stick together, rather than dissipate, according to Sublette. Then it settled closer to the ground.

The haze that fell over Pennsylvania surprised Sublette. He said wildfire smoke that crosses the U.S. normally stays high in the atmosphere, where it’s not as noticeable.

Sublette said, as climate change creates conditions that lead to more intense wildfires, Pennsylvania could see more pollution from them.

“Just because you see it happen once doesn’t mean it’s going to happen that way every single year. But it will happen more frequently than in the past and we need to prepare for it,” he said. For example, he said events that used to happen once every 20-30 years might start happening once every 10-15 years.

Though fires are still burning in the western U.S., the haze has mostly cleared.

The Department of Environmental Protection issued Code Orange Air Quality Alerts on Tuesday and Wednesday. It said a cold air front that was expected to move into the state Wednesday afternoon would bring cleaner air.

Sublette said there was an especially large amount of smoke making it to Pennsylvania in the last week because some of the fires were just getting started and fires produce more smoke early on.

Kevin Stewart, director of environmental health for the American Lung Association, said the haze was a reminder that people should take caution when air quality is bad.

“That gets our attention, but in terms of your lungs, they don’t really care where the air pollution is coming from,” Stewart said.

Stewart said air pollution can cause a range of issues from wheezing and coughing in the short term, to a heightened risk for heart attack and stroke over time.

Sensitive groups, such as those with respiratory issues, children, and older people should avoid strenuous activity outside during poor air quality days. They should stay indoors in a place where the air is filtered, if possible.