Wildfires and Hiking

It looks like we in the Driftless region (as well as others in the eastern northern tier states) may be in for a long summer of wildfire smoke. The Canadian fires just don't create a haze that obscures things far away. Whenever levels of wildfire smoke are high, that very same far-off haze is affecting the air immediately surrounding us and that we are breathing.

While that, of course, seems obvious, if you are also exercising or hiking with increased respiration, you are also increasing the volume of particulate matter that you are inhaling. Levels of PM2.5 are the wildfire particles of particular concern.

There were plenty of comments from campers, hikers, runners and bikers on social media in MN over Memorial Day weekend when many parts of the state experienced high alert days for very poor air quality. People recreating outside reported itchy burning eyes; sore throats, persistent coughs and some reported feeling pressure in their chests. 

There are two very easy things we can do to help protect our lungs and health when hiking and breathing hard on poor air quality days:

1. Be aware of the air quality daily. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has a free website and app, AirNow.gov that lets you check air quality in real time plus a five day forecast; maps tracking smoke; whether the air quality is affected by ozone or wildfires and suggestions for when to be cautious if we are in an at-risk group. Just input your zipcode or the zipcode of where you plan to hike and voila.

2.  Have a KN95 or an N95 mask along on hikes, just in case. While masks are not super comfortable in summer, I note that hikers have managed to continue hikes with soaked boots after stream crossings; no raincoat in a downpour; not enough bug dope while the mosquitoes and deerflies swarm; doinked knees and ankles and elbows and noses and, well, whatever befalls them. Most of us come out bragging at the end of an adverse/uncomfortable hike despite the discomfort. I think a mask is a doable thing to protect our health. We can do it!

Check the resources below for additional information on how to protect yourself.

Resources

The Wildfire Smoke May Be Gone. But the Health Threat Remains. Wen, Leana S. Washington Post, June 12, 2023 A very good, science-based article that cites research on the effects of wildfire smoke. You can access the article for free by putting in your email address.

Wildfire smoke, COVID-19, and striking comparisons. Jetalina, Katelyn. Your Local Epidemiologist. Newsletter, June 9, 2023. A very good article that is science-based and points out the dangers of wildfire smoke and the need to mask up on high alert days.