Michiana air quality hits ‘extremely hazardous’ levels as Canadian wildfire smoke blankets region

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - Canadian wildfire smoke pushed Michiana’s air quality to “extremely hazardous” levels Friday — a rating that applied to all residents, not just those considered vulnerable — before conditions began a slow improvement by evening.

Exposure to the smoke can cause burning eyes, a runny nose, an itchy throat, headaches, and chest pain, according to officials.

Mark Derf, a section chief at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, said a similar smoke event occurred in 2023 but did not reach the same level of severity.

“That was a similar type of event, but the magnitude of the concentration of 2.5 is extremely high,” Derf said. “We’re getting into an air quality that is unhealthy, even extremely unhealthy, and either hazardous in some areas of Michigan. So people just need to be aware that this might extremely impact their health.”

Jeffrey Stoneburner, a firefighter paramedic captain with the South Bend Fire Department, said the smoke has not fundamentally changed how crews respond to calls.

“We would just take our normal precautions like we do with every patient — gloves and masks if we need to — and just provide the care that we do normally,” Stoneburner said.

Officials are urging residents to limit time outdoors, keep windows shut, and use air purifiers indoors. Wearing a mask when outside is also recommended.

While air quality was beginning to improve as of Friday evening, officials said conditions had not fully cleared and the air remained harmful.

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