Wildfires have unfortunately sparked up again in Canada, and a meteorologist from the National Weather Service comments on the impact that potentially has on Iowa.

Meteorologist Mike Fowle tells Raccoon Valley Radio haze from the wildfires has resided in the northern portion of the state. He mentions that an air quality advisory was issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on Monday. Todd Russell, who serves as an Environmental Specialist at the DNR, notes that the criteria for an air quality statement to be released starts with a National Weather Service alert followed by a press release public statement. Russell comments on the areas the DNR looks at in regards to air quality.

“Which way the winds are blowing, where the smoke is now, which we can tell by looking at national air quality maps.”

From that information, Russell says the department decides on whether the air quality is threatening enough to pursue the matter further or leave it alone.