Hazardous

 

Since yesterday afternoon.... probably through at least the end of the day on Friday..... the Air Quality Index in my region has moved into the HAZARDOUS zone.  This is due to the Canadian and Northern Minnesota Wildfires that are raging.   This has been an occurrence every Summer for the last three years, and it thought to be an associated effect due to global warming.  By the way, the image above was just an Internet image.  Our region is currently experiencing an AQI of 427.

It is truly dystopian outside.  The sky is sickly orange-brown color.  The odor has a bit of an aspect of a campfire.... but you can smell and taste other components as well.  The air feels thick.  The particulates themselves give the appearance of a deep fog.  While driving, visibility is down to much less than 1/4 mile OR less (~0.5km OR less).  

We are also in the midst of a heat wave.  It has been near, at, or above 100 degrees F (~38 C) for several days.  

Many folks (especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses) are in dire shape in my region.  If they do not have air conditioning, they are taxed by the sweltering heat (with extremely high humidity so no evaporative cooling effect of sweating).   They further are likely to have their windows open (advisories urge folks to keep their windows closed due to the air quality).  

For folks who have air conditioning, it is still also a bit of a mixed bag.  Many older systems will chill the air, but do limited... if any... FILTERING of the air.  And, even in newer systems with filtration.... the real ability of the filters to filter out these extremely small particulates is suspect at best.  I can say that at home (with our ~10 year old a/c system) and at the few stores I have been too with a/c that the ODOR is considerably lower in our house and in these stores.... compared with outside.  Whether that is associated with any appreciable decrease in these microparticles is anyone's guess at the moment. 

My original game plan this morning, was to go to the gym and run on the treadmill, lift some, and then swim in the pool a bit to cool down afterwards.  I would not/could not have ran outside today.

But, the gym was having HVAC issues and closed the pool and running facilities until at least mid-afternoon because they were drawing into the buildings..... the smoky, outside air.  So, no running for me today.

I am at the U at the moment, but my building (old) is having challenges as well.  It feels as if the a/c is failing and the wildfire atmosphere permeates every room I have been in thus far.  I think I am going to quickly do the photocopying and sorting I had planned, and then head home to work from inside our house.  

Even though I really want to attend the Retiree's Cigar Group.... I do not think it is advised today, so unless something convinces me otherwise, I am not going to attend.  I am wondering how many folks WILL actually show up there today.... it could be very small.  

PipeTobacco