The Shadow
COVINGTON, VA (VR) – A persistent haze has settled over the Alleghany Highlands in recent weeks, dulling mountain views and prompting air quality warnings across Virginia. The culprit isn’t local; it’s smoke that has traveled hundreds of miles from wildfires burning in Canada.
More than 800 wildfires have been burning in Canada’s boreal forests in recent weeks, sending a dense plume of smoke southeastward across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, including Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a series of air quality alerts as the smoke has drifted into the state, with conditions ranging from Code Orange to Code Red, depending on location and how low the smoke has settled.
Alleghany County and the surrounding Southwest Virginia region have generally seen less severe effects than areas farther east, such as Richmond, Lynchburg, and Northern Virginia, because much of the smoke has remained higher in the atmosphere over the mountains. Still, haze has been visible locally, and some smoke has banked against the Appalachians, thickening conditions closer to the ground on certain days.
Meteorologists say the smoke is being carried by upper-level wind patterns associated with a high-pressure system, sometimes called a “heat dome,” parked over the northern Plains and Canada. Those winds have funneled smoke thousands of miles from its source, with the density and altitude of the plume varying from day to day. This explains why some mornings bring vivid orange sunrises, while others bring little more than a faint gray tint to the sky.
Health officials say the smoke poses real risks even when it isn’t visibly thick. Wildfire smoke is made up of fine particulate matter, gases, and water vapor. The smallest particles, known as PM2.5, are of the greatest concern because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream.
Exposure can cause coughing, throat and eye irritation, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Officials say children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart disease face the highest risk of complications, including worsened breathing difficulties and increased strain on the cardiovascular system. Prolonged or repeated exposure has also been linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections.
Even residents without underlying health conditions can experience symptoms during periods of heavy smoke, particularly with prolonged outdoor exertion. State health officials recommend that anyone in a sensitive group limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous activity when air quality alerts are in effect. They also recommend that all residents consider doing the same if smoke is visible or a campfire-like odor is noticeable outside.
The smoke isn’t just an outdoor problem. HVAC professionals note that fine particles can infiltrate homes through gaps around windows and doors or through air systems with worn filters, meaning families can be breathing in smoke particles indoors without realizing it. Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed during smoky periods, run air conditioning or air purifiers with clean filters whenever possible, and avoid activities that add to indoor pollution, such as burning candles or using a fireplace.
Residents can monitor local air quality conditions through the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow.gov website, which provides real-time Air Quality Index readings and a fire and smoke map. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality also issues alerts as conditions change.
Forecasters say there is no clear indication that the Canadian wildfires will be extinguished soon, meaning periodic smoke and haze could continue to affect the region in the coming weeks, depending on wind patterns.
