I'm not going to blame MN or Canada for the fires. The dry remote areas are on fire and firefighters are trying to hard to contain the fires.
The winds changed and sent the smoke into the Midwest and other parts of the US.
This morning I checked the Air Quality site and was rather surprised that the particulates were this bad. My eyes stung yesterday. I could smell what seemed like a garbage fire and camp fire mixed in.
Now. I don't want to criticize some folks, but when I posted this on social crap-media and commented that I'd not go to work out at the gym, I got some comments from others that said it 'would not be a big deal'.
Now our gym is simply an old garage for repairing vehicles. The bay doors are always open in the summer and there is no A/C. I don't mind working out in the heat, but breathing in heavily polluted air seems counterintuitive to exercising for better health.
Especially if you are working out and increasing your rate of breathing.
Yes, by noon, the Air Quality should be much better if the smoke moves off like it did yesterday afternoon. But I'm an aged athlete and I don't feel like working out and smoking a pack of cigarettes at the same time.
That is my opinion and decision. Meh.
Here are two photos of this morning when I did chores. Little Richard looked as if he was in fog. Don't worry, I move him a few times a day in this heat so he can get into the shade. He also spent most of the heat days in a tree shaded paddock.
it would be awesome to dig in the garden
She had mud up to her
Gotta love a pup!
She harmed no flowers in her morning









Some people just don't get what's in the air when there are big fires....even when they are being warned about the impact. Yesterday we had that foggy look and could smell the smoke, but today it cleared up and it was safe to go outside. Big rain tomorrow and then back to heat and smoke. Summer I no longer my favorite season. Lori
ReplyDeleteJuly is no longer on my list of months to like...and any hot/humid weather for that matter. I agree so many people ignore what they cannot see.
DeleteWe had a big rain last night over an inch and now it is muggy and...looks like the hazy smoke is returning.
Sigh.
It's good to be prudent.
ReplyDeleteI can assure you that we would prefer not to be sending smoke to you. Do the people who criticize so readily have any idea just how big the boreal forest is? We have screwed the climate so badly that it is only going to get worse.
ReplyDeleteDavid many Americans prefer not to learn too much about the Canadian forests. I have seen them when I was a kid. I do understand it.
DeleteMostly the ones that were critical were saying that the smoke wouldn't hurt us while working out. I beg to differ.
You're wise not to work out in such heavy smoke.
ReplyDeleteI did work out in my house with simple modifications, but it was in A/C and with air filtration engaged. I purchased that a few years ago as my husband had severe COPD.
DeleteSome people simply don't get it about the danger of increasing your air intake just when you should be sheltering from it. Even a visit to an air conditioned gym isn't smart.
ReplyDeleteWell, I did work out at home. But yes, the thinking that many young folks have is that they are invincible. and impervious to anything because they do work out.
DeleteI'm a bit older and wiser.
Little micro floating burnt plants is not like our hippie days, eh? Yep, stay inside. And doggies get more of it because of their special noses, per the dog rescue groups that work at disaster sights. Now, if we could just get our Idiot to visit the fires in Canada... Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteYep, not the good weed...wink wink!
DeleteAnd this is why I am no longer involved on social media. I insert whenever necessary that it is not only Canada but Minnesota and also one of the NW states providing smoke. Living here I have been to the north woods often and also into Canada. people who haven't have no idea how vast the forests are. We have clear air today which I am grateful for. As David said, climate change is making itself known.
ReplyDeleteGenerally I never make a statement that can be argued. I'm usually that person that just has pictures of flowers, landscapes, and puppies...LOL.
DeleteI also just scroll past all stupid stuff on Social Media.
Nobody had to tell me. I went out the door to work at the church office and started gagging and coughing. I have bad lungs to start with. I went back inside and dug out a N95 mask left over from Covid to walk from the house to the car, the car to the office, etc. I got funny looks walking from car to our gym (enclosed building with ac) but I have enough problems without inhaling a forest fire.
ReplyDeleteIt is awful out there.
ReplyDelete