Drought, Wind, Fire & Air Quality

It's been a very smoky twenty-four hours here in Brooklyn! We haven't had rain in over a month, and the recent windy conditions resulted in red flag warnings being issued. With dry autumn leaves serving as kindling, we have the perfect recipe for fire. Over the last twenty-four hours, we've experienced local brush fires which have had a negative impact on our local air quality. This can feel like a dry throat, chest irritation, burning or dry eyes, and can result in coughing, wheezing, and the worsening of preexisting medical conditions.

Above is the data from the air quality sensor at the Kiddie Science Lab. The big spike was the fire inside Prospect Park, not far from where the Lab is located. After that was under control, you can see how the New Jersey Palisades fire and other local brush fires have impacted our air quality.

Drought: A Set-Up for Fire
Drought occurs when there’s a long period with little or no rainfall. This lack of water dries out vegetation, turning grasses, leaves, and shrubs into easy fuel for fires. In the northeast, this has resulted in the autumn leaves drying out and collecting much faster. This October, it didn't rain at all. As of the date of this blog post, we still wait for rain. As the drought continues, the chance of brush and wildfires rises because there's so much dry material ready to ignite. 

​Wind: Fueling the Flames and Spreading Smoke

When winds are high, they not only fan the flames of brush fires but also spread smoke and fine particulate matter over large areas, impacting air quality for miles.

These tiny particles can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, leading to respiratory issues even in those without preexisting conditions. 

This was the AQI in Brooklyn and Manhattan at 12:41pm on 11/9/24.

As of 9pm, it hasn't improved much.

Fire: A Major Contributor to Poor Air Quality

When a fire burns, it releases a mix of gases and particles into the air. These include fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which is what the Kiddie Science Lab sensor measures.

Exposure to PM2.5 and other pollutants from wildfire smoke can lead to coughing, throat and chest irritation, asthma attacks, respiratory issues, and heart problems.

You can check out live data from the Kiddie Science Lab air quality sensor HERE (bookmark the page!)

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​Staying Safe During Poor Air Quality
Here are a few ways to protect yourself and your family when air quality worsens due to fires:
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1. Check Air Quality Reports: Look up daily air quality levels to help plan your day. If you're local, you can check out the Kiddie Science Lab air quality sensor.
   
   
2. Stay Indoors on High Smoke Days: On days when air quality isn't so great, try to stay indoors with windows closed, especially if you’re in a high-risk group. 
   
   
3. Use Air Purifiers: If possible, use air purifiers indoors to help remove particles from the air. A low-cost, high impact Corsi-Rosenthal air purifier is an excellent DIY option.
   
   
4. Wear a Mask When Needed: If you have to go outside when smoke levels are high, wearing a properly fitting N95 or KN95 mask can provide protection from inhaling particles.