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submitted 3 days ago by Bluewing@lemmy.world to c/dull_mens_club@lemmy.world

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Believe it or not, there is a mile long island a half mile away, and it cannot be seen due to forest fire smoke. The Air Quality index is currently at 1650. It is considered unsafe for anyone to be outdoors now. And I can even smell the smoke inside the house now. There are no birbs flying around the yard and not even insects are in the air.

Usually, we can blame forest fire smoke on Canada, I do live quite close to the border. But this year, it's our own forests that are on fire. I'm about 150 miles west of the fires and the smoke caught up with us yesterday and has just gotten worse and will remain so until the fires are put out I think.

Kind of makes me glad I'm waiting on knee surgery next week and can't walk well enough to be out and about wandering the forest.

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[-] crimson_iris@piefed.social 28 points 3 days ago

You may want to get some N100/P100 respirators for situations like this.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 21 points 3 days ago

I do have a stash of supposedly N95s. But unless they are fit tested to be sure they seal your face correctly, they leak enough to be nearly useless. It's why, when I was volunteer firefighter, we fit tested every year. It was imperative your SCBA mask fit you properly for this level of smoke exposure.

[-] crimson_iris@piefed.social 20 points 3 days ago

Yes, there has to be a proper seal. If the choices are to breathe in the smoke without any filter between the smoke and your airways, or wearing a respirator with a suboptimal seal, I'd personally go with the respirator. It's no magic bullet, of course.

Also I probably don't live near you, but thank you for volunteering as a firefighter.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I do have masks, but the best plan is to not go outside if there is no need. I have nowhere I need to go. So I'm staying inside for the next few days. And have a pint until this all blows over, as they say.

[-] UndulyUnruly@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

Six pints of bitter, said Ford Prefect. And quickly please, the world's about to end.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

I don't have 6 pints and the world ain't ending. But I do have a few beers in the refrigerator. And beer is excellent for cutting the smoke and making you feel better.

[-] Knossos@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

What's wrong with being drunk?

[-] sem@piefed.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 days ago

At the Winchester

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

It ain't the Winchester here, but I do have a few beers, bottle of Scotch and a bit of gin.

[-] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 3 days ago

Better to have a mask than no mask if it’s dangerous. Even if it’s imperfect. Just understand the limitations and don’t go for a marathon run.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

I have masks that claim to be N95, but they are not. In any case the best plan of action is simply to not go outside and take health risks I don't need to. I have nowhere I need to go, so I'm staying in the house.

[-] Curious_Canid@piefed.ca 3 points 2 days ago

I thought we were in terrible shape, with numbers over 300. Actually, what am I saying, we are in terrible shape! Other being worse off does not change that.

I was only outside briefly, but I'm still wheezing.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Despite a 1/2" of rain this morning, we are still over 800 right now and I think it looks like it's getting heavier smoke. They say we get might some more ash fall also.

You stay inside! Not being able to breath sucks, so don't do things outdoors. Nothing you need to do is worth the risks for you.

[-] Curious_Canid@piefed.ca 1 points 2 days ago

Wishing you safety and health.

[-] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 9 points 3 days ago

That's what it looks like here.

The outside air tastes like a campfire.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I was getting more ash and less campfire today. Now I can't smell it much at all.

[-] man_wtfhappenedtoyou@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

It's the same where I live. It says the AQI is ~365 in my area, but I don't really believe that. The weather is nice but I can't go outside. This shit is getting worse every summer. It's scary.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

There is a lot of fire burden out in the forests because god forbid we do some constructive burns to lessen the problems. Wouldn't want to tourists to see burned trees.....

[-] Tempus_Fugit@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

I took an N95 mask and went kayaking. Luckily the animals seem to be coping here. I saw plenty of animals out and about.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

It's still bad here. I think I remember seeing one tweety bird in the yard earlier this morning.

[-] lime@feddit.nu 6 points 3 days ago

1650?! i'm surprised any air is getting through your home filters at all.

[-] treadful@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago

That's got to be a typo and it's 165 or something. I live in an area with lots of wildfires and I don't think I've never heard of anything over like about 400.

[-] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Today's winner is Grand Portage, an area near Thunder Bay, scoring 9 5 3.

Wait! We have a late entry!

49913, Mi USA - 1 1 4 3

I guess just don't breathe?

[-] treadful@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 days ago

I've seen ash rain from the sky. I've felt the heat from wildfires. Never seen numbers that high. That's wild.

Time to build a Corsi-Rosenthal box and seal up your house.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

It's slowly going down this afternoon, it's down to 350 now. Still hazardous, bit not nearly as bad as it was.

[-] ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

I know this isn't what you were getting at, but under different circumstances this property looks like it would be a little slice of heaven.

Good luck on your knee surgery.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago

I get to live where people want to go on vacation. Making a living is tough, not a lot of money up here and are few and mostly poor. But, man does the world look beautiful even at it's worst. I will die at home here.

[-] QuandaleDingle@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

I woke up this morning, saw an alert on my phone, and went, "What the hell???" The air is pretty bad here in Southeast Michigan. I shudder to imagine how bad it is for you.

[-] Bluewing@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

I think you are getting some Canadian fires north of you. These are local Minnesota brand fires.....

[-] QuandaleDingle@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Yep, it seems like it. It's been a rather acrid couple of days now.

this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2026

162 points (98.8% liked)

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