Air Quality at Dangerous Levels

A few days ago we were reading about wildfires in Nova Scotia.  It didn't take long for us to smell those fires here in New Jersey--and then to observe the hazy conditions they created. 

Wednesday Jim had a golf date scheduled at a new course for him--Tamarack--in East Brunswick where a fellow he met at the Meadows Golf Course had scheduled a tee time for the two of them.  Tamarack is a bit north of here so even closer to the wildfires.  He texted me from the course saying that he was wearing a mask--not for Covid reasons but to prevent getting the smoke particles in his lungs.  In an unfamiliar course, it was even harder for him to see where that little golf ball landed. 

Our weather app listed the air quality on Wednesday as around 375 in Princeton.  It was far worse in New York City.  Outdoor events including Major League ball games were canceled.  Everyone was warned to stay inside and to check on elderly neighbors.  Once Jim came home, we did stay inside and we did not open the windows to let in cool air in the evening as we often do.

The air smelled like one giant campfire--reminiscent of roasting hotdogs or marshmallows.  Dan and Alex texted photos of their landscape with no Catskill mountains in sight.  

Yesterday the air seemed clearer.  I went for a short walk in the evening.  Today the air is fresh again and it is a relief. Dry conditions due to climate change make the danger of forest fires more likely.  So this may not be a once in a lifetime experience as it was for us up to this point.