#Salem High School dismisses early as brush fires cause unhealthy air quality
Tuesday morning was the worst the air quality has been since the first significant fire broke out in Salem, based on data from the EPA
By Thea DiGiammerino and Alysha Palumbo
Published October 29, 2024
"''The fire itself is not the danger. It’s the air quality this morning,' said Chris O’Donnell, Salem Public Schools Director of Communications. 'As we arrived on campus this morning we could smell quite a bit of smoke. There’s always initial concern but we made it clear that the fire is not the danger.'
"According to the Environmental Protection Agency's #AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, air quality in Lynn had reached #HazardousLevels - over 300 PPM - early Tuesday morning, the worst alert level listed and considered an emergency. As of mid-morning it had dropped into the 'very unhealthy' level - between 201 to 300 PM - a category where the risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Levels may fluctuate depending on the fires and weather conditions. The public is advised to limit outdoor activities when possible.
"This is the second day of air quality concerns from the fire. On Monday the smell of smoke was strong all over the #Boston area due to a weather phenomenon called #inversion. That's when warm air traps cool air and smoke close to the ground, and that can be a concern for air quality because #wildfire smoke has been shown to carry #pollutants."
https://www.necn.com/news/local/air-quality-at-very-unhealthy-levels-across-north-shore-due-to-brush-fires/3373021/
#AirLisLife #WildfireSeason
#ExtremeDrought #ClimateChange
#ClimateCrisis #NorthShore
#NorthShoreOfMassachusetts
#EssexCountyMassachusetts
#SalemMassachusetts #AirQualityAlert
