Tuesday, Oct. 3, Air quality warnings were issued throughout the state of Florida. This haze was due to smoke that originated from the wildfires in Canada. 

   WFLA Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Leigh Spann reported at the time that, “The smoke has come down I-95 and should be with us for the next couple of days”. The smoke traveled nearly 2,000 miles from the fires in Quebec. Scientists at the World Weather Attribution group cited human caused climate change as the cause of this mass travel, stating that it had made the conditions in Quebec twice as likely to drive the fires, and increased the of the fires by up to 20 percent.

   Due to the long travel distance, the particles in the smoke that made it down here were very small and could have been more damaging to our health. The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County stated in their warning that the air had elevated levels of particles of 2.5 micrometers or less and an air quality index rating of 109, which means that it may have been dangerous for people with asthma or weakened immune systems to go outside in those conditions. Dr. Pavena Beerelli of Melbourne Allergy & Asthma advised that the smoke was a common irritant that could affect anyone, and warned to look out for things like respiratory symptoms, shortness of breath, wheezing, and nasal symptoms. 

   While the smoke cleared out over the course of a day or two, many Florida residents were left concerned and confused. Scientists are concerned by the fact that wildfires, an issue that has become more and more common due to climate change, have effects that can travel this far.