Wildfire smoke health risks explained

31 now. We're continuing to follow the latest with the air quality across Minnesota. And while we have seen conditions improve for much of the metro northern Minnesota still under hazardous conditions today. So here's a live look from Ely this morning. You can really see just that thick smoke there. You know, of course, this area gateway to the boundary waters. Fire crews up there will continue their efforts to contain several wildfires in the area. And of course, we know those wildfires in addition to the ones burning in Canada is what led to are just terrible air quality conditions here in the metro yesterday. As we mentioned, while air quality levels are expected to improve later today up north, the air quality will still be a concern. So as we keep an eye on those levels were joined by Dr Abigail Miller from United Healthcare to kind of talk through some of these things. Obviously a big topic the last 24 hours especially. So when it comes to our air quality, like what we're seeing now, what do people just need to keep in mind? Yeah, so I think it's really important for people to keep in mind to stay air aware, right? So paying attention to the air quality in the area where they are. And so it's gonna be things like checking on your weather app. It's gonna be going to places like air now dot gov to look to see what the air quality is in your area and then tailoring your activities for those air quality alerts. Sure, which we know a lot of people did yesterday. A lot of them didn't have a choice. A lot of things were just canceled. Right. We also saw a lot of people maybe from their covid era pulling out those masks. Do masks help when the air is like this? And what should people keep in mind if they're gonna put one on? Yeah, so certainly I think when the air is hazardous, the most important thing actually is to try to stay inside, stay inside, keep those windows closed, use air conditioning, use air filters if you have those at home, but really trying to stay inside as much as possible. If you do have to go out, you're absolutely right. Those and 95 masks with the filters. Those filters help to filter out the particulates. The particulates are what causes the irritation that oftentimes is gonna make you feel like your eyes may be burning, your nose is itching or burning. Um, and certainly it's gonna make you feel potentially like a little short of breath or like you're coughing. Yeah, yeah. And doctor, of course, during the summers, I mean, this is not gonna be the last wildfires that we see situations where air quality is bad. But as we look, uh, prepare ourselves for the future here, what are some things people can keep in mind if air quality situations like this pop up again? Yeah. So again, as we talked about, I think it's really important to stay air aware, but it's also really important to watch for people who are maybe more sensitive to air quality. So keep in mind people maybe who already have lung conditions. So asthma, C. O. P. D. They're gonna be more sensitive to this people with heart conditions. Additionally, people who are pregnant, small Children and the elderly. So I think it's really important for people to keep an eye out for their family members for their neighbors as well. We're at risk really quick here. I know a lot of people who told me just over this last day, they say the smoke usually doesn't bother me, but this one was really bad and I was having the eyes and the coffin things. Is there a point where maybe you should consider going into the doctor because your symptoms are maybe a little too intense, right? That is such a great point. So absolutely. If you're getting to the point where you're really short of breath, where you're having chest pain, you're feeling faint. Those are all signs that you need to go and see a doctor. If you're somebody who has a chronic health condition and that health condition is worsened because of this, follow your action plan that you have for your health condition. But certainly call your doctor if that normal action plan isn't working. Okay, Dr Miller, thank you so much. And like you said, you knew likely not the last time you see this this summer. So great stuff to keep in mind. Thank you. Thank you.