Wildfire smoke prompts weekend air alert, health warnings in South Dakota
More Canadian haze crossing into Dakotas
South Dakota environmental and health officials have issued an air quality alert for the weekend as smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to drift south and settle across parts of the state.
Issued Friday by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is expected to be in place through Sunday, July 13.
Officials warn the smoke may reduce visibility and increase levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can affect public health, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and people with preexisting respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
“Air pollution can aggravate heart and cardiovascular disease as well as lung diseases like asthma and COPD,” according to a joint news release from DANR and the South Dakota Department of Health. “Anyone concerned about health effects related to poor air quality should contact their health care provider.”
Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity and avoid strenuous exercise during periods of heavy smoke. Officials also recommend keeping indoor air clean by closing windows and doors and using air purifiers if available.
Real-time air quality data and health recommendations are available on the DANR website. PM2.5 levels above 35 micrograms per cubic meter are considered a concern for public health.
The alert comes amid years of recurring smoke events tied to wildfires in Canada and the western United States — most recently in late May.
From 2021 to 2023, Sioux Falls received failing grades for both ozone and particle pollution from the American Lung Association, marks related to wildfires.
