Rochester adjusts to air quality concerns as Canadian wildfires blow smoke into U.S.
Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Dense and dangerous smoke sits over the Rochester city skyline as wildfires burning in Canada push smoke into the U.S.
"I woke up this morning and went outside and it was very strange," said Molly Hickey of Rochester. "I actually checked the weather to see if it was about to rain, and then it smelled like our neighbors might be having a campfire."
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Despite an air quality alert, people went about their walks. Some, like Zae Vasquez, even played basketball.
"I probably shouldn't be out here," he said. "But at the same time, what can I do? I like to play basketball. It's what I do."
Dr. Daniel Croft, an assistant professor of pulmonary and critical medicine at the University of Rochester, said doing any sort of physical activity in this type of air quality isn't the best idea.
"If you’re exercising, if you’re working, do your best to pace yourself so that you don’t overexert," he said. "And also, if you’re able to, wear a mask. Try to filter those particles."
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Samantha Ruggeri of Rochester wiped her eyes before our interview. She said her symptoms have gotten worse since the morning.
Ruggeri wasn't so much worried about herself as she was her kids, one of whom has asthma.
"I made sure that he has his inhaler, and I made sure we didn’t overdo it," she said. "Right now, I kind of have a bit of a clam shell going around her to hopefully protect."
Croft said the air pollution isn't going to permanently scar someone's lungs, but he does advise everyone to take precaution.
"It is putting stress on the lungs, and I think we should try to, if we’re able, to move activities inside," he said. "It’s a reasonable thing to do."