Many are worried about the air quality in Boston because of the Salem fire as well as other wildfires throughout Massachusetts. Boston residents have woken up today, October 28, to the smell of smoke throughout the air, with some wondering whether it’s safe to go outside. The Salem brush fire remains the largest blaze with firefighters trying to contain it for several days. This is in addition to other brushfires in Millbury, Middleton, Beverly, and Canton, as reported by NBC. Here’s a quick report of the Boston air quality as we head toward the end of October.
What is the Boston air quality due to Massachusetts wildfires?
The Boston air quality is rated “unhealthy for sensitive groups” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through AirNow based on measurements made on October 28.
The specific rating for PM2.5, or fine particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or less in diameter, is 104. This is based on a scale that runs from 0 to 301+ with the rating from 101 to 150 being “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” This means that people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should do less strenuous activities outside, while everyone else can still enjoy their outdoor activities.
Similarly, Accuweather rates the air quality in Boston as “Poor” with a score of 51. This indicates that the air has reached “a high level of pollution and is unhealthy for sensitive groups” as well. The scale it uses, which runs from 0 to 250+, is based on Plume Labs that incorporates World Health Organization (WHO) and EPA guidelines.
Accuweather forecasts that the air quality in Boston will remain “Poor” on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
In a separate report from the weather forecast service, the wildfire threat throughout the northeastern United States is high due to the lack of rain in October and temperatures that are roughly 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit higher than usual. The notably high amount of dry brush, dead leaves, and broken tree limbs will add fuel to any wildfires in the region.
