How smoke from Canada wildfires could disrupt your summer vacation

To soak up the glory of summer in Michigan, Martha Cavazos and a group of friends planned a camping trip about an hour north of home in Detroit for early June. Then Canada's worst fire season on record began, spreading smoke across North America. They pushed their trip back, hoping air quality concerns would clear up enough to enjoy their trip safely - but the smoke held.

"Coming out of covid, camping was the main thing we got to do for the last couple of summers that felt safe and secure," said Cavazos, 34. "So it was just really bizarre and a surreal experience to make that call like . . . I don't think we can sleep outside."

Next week, Cavazos has another quintessential summer trip "up north" hanging in the balance as the wildfires keep raging.

"We're not not going to go, but it's drastically going to impact our plans to spend the entire week at the beach or hiking because the conditions," she said. "We'll figure it out, but it's definitely a mental adjustment more than anything else."

Millions of Americans have been exposed to unhealthy levels of smoke pollution, and the dangerous conditions are expected to continue into the summer, because Canadian fires could rage until snow falls. We used to plan our travel with a standard lineup of weather in mind: sunny, rainy, hot, cold. As humanity enters a new fire version of the ice age, we've added smoke to that list.

"Whether it's in Europe, into Asia or North America . . . we are seeing more fires," said Frank Harrison, regional security director at the travel risk-management company World Travel Protection and former firefighter who lives in Toronto. "And the intensity, the impact and the severity is increasing."

Given the consistent uptick, Harrison said travelers - particularly those with preexisting conditions - will need to make informed choices when it comes to their trips. Here are some factors to consider.

Where will wildfire smoke be this summer?

According to Capital Weather Gang forecaster Ian Livingston, wildfire smoke is difficult to predict outside a few days. But he said that a good source for information is AirNow.gov, from the Environmental Protection Agency, which provides current air quality conditions, forecasts and interactive maps.

"Checking the National Weather Service forecast in the place one is headed would also be helpful," he wrote in a messaging app.

Myles Druckman, global medical director and senior vice president at travel security firm International SOS, recommended free apps including AirNow and AirMatters.

"Importantly, some are able to forecast based on prevailing winds," he said in an email.

How long will the air pollution last?

While the current smoky conditions in the eastern United States are expected to improve going into the weekend, experts told The Washington Post that we haven't seen the last of it.

The raging fires are expected to keep sending smoke into the country because summer weather isn't ideal for diffusing it.

"The United States could be in for a summer of smoke," Post weather specialists wrote in a story Thursday.

How will wildfire smoke affect airports?

When wildfire smoke descended on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in early June, the Federal Aviation Administration delayed flights at some airports because of reduced visibility.

In a statement, the agency said travelers should monitor fly.faa.gov for the latest information because smoke conditions can change rapidly.

"If necessary, the FAA will take steps to manage the flow of traffic safely into areas that experience reduced visibility from wildfire smoke," the statement said.

In a video posted June 8 on Twitter, when earlier smoke was disrupting flights, FAA communications specialist Kevin Morris explained why smoke delays can be worse than those for fog or rain. He said advanced navigation systems that work well through water droplets can be less effective with smoke and ash, requiring additional precautions on the part of pilots and air traffic controllers.

Will smoke affect other parts of my vacation?

Travelers should check to see if events are canceled, if outdoor reservations need to be moved indoors, if attractions will stay open and how they might need to tailor their own activities.

When smoke blanketed New York City earlier this month, some Broadway shows, concerts and outdoor performances were canceled. The National Zoo closed, and a Washington Nationals game and Pride event in D.C. were postponed. And in Chicago this week, outdoor movies and other performance were canceled.

What should I do if wildfire smoke is in my destination?

Druckman said travelers should carefully examine their plans and destinations for smoke risks.

"If your plans are to be outside, then this is even more important," he said in an email. "If you or your traveling companions are in the risk categories, then they should strongly consider delaying their trip if air quality is expected to be poor."

Experts said wearing a KN95 or N95 mask would provide protection when people need to be outdoors.

John Lovell, president of travel agency network Travel Leaders Group, said advisers are talking to clients continuously to keep them updated on conditions and make any necessary changes.

"If you have any type of health issue, you want to stay more indoors than outdoors, stay away from the irritants," he said. "Find a museum to go to, some indoor activities, at night go to a concert, take in some shows.

Harrison recommends investing in travel insurance, particularly policies with the ability to cancel for any reason, so "if your destination gets completely smoked and you're going for a week . . . you can cancel or change it."

What are the health risks of smoke in the air?

Wildfire smoke is most dangerous to young children, whose lungs are not fully developed; the elderly; and people with underlying chronic health conditions, such as emphysema, asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

"The small particles that are inhaled from the smoke irritate people's lungs and cause an exacerbation of the underlying diseases, which can make things worse for them," said Amit "Bobby" Mahajan, a pulmonologist and volunteer medical spokesperson with the American Lung Association. Mahajan warns that wildfire smoke can land vulnerable individuals in the hospital.

Though wildfire smoke is less harmful to healthy folks, even the fittest may experience short-term symptoms, such as shortness of breath; chest tightness; coughing; irritated nasal passages; eye squinting; and blurred vision.

"Most of the symptoms resolve within a couple of days," said Meredith McCormack, an associate director of pulmonary and critical care at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

How can you reduce symptoms from pollution?

People with allergies will be familiar with the symptoms associated with wildfire smoke, and many of the same remedies can help reduce the discomfort in your eyes, nose and lungs. Wear a N95 or N100 mask when outdoors, and treat your symptoms with eye drops, a nasal spray and an antihistamine like Claritin. McCormack urges people with a chronic medical condition like asthma or COPD to make sure they're taking their medication.

The American Lung Association's website has a useful section about staying healthy during wildfires, as does the Baltimore Breathe Center.

How are travel businesses adapting?

Brian Hoyt, vice president of public relations for EF Education First tour company, said there is concern that ongoing fires will affect conditions in the D.C. area, one of the company's most popular tourist destinations.

The company also examines air quality and asks: "'Should we move things inside? Do we have people on the tour that have respiratory issues that we need to give preferences to flights home?'" Hoyt said, adding the tours hand out respirator masks to travelers when smoke is an issue.

Summer camps across the Midwest and East are making similar choices, moving activities indoors, closing outdoor pools and sending home some campers with health problems.

Where can I go that shouldn't be smoky?

Druckman warned that wildfires are unpredictable and widespread around the world, pointing to California's repeated fires and those in Europe and Asia in recent years.

For now Harrison said, smoke is "pretty significant in the northern hemisphere" with the exception of Alaska. And the U.S. region that regularly sees fires is getting a break for now, Livingston said.

"Oddly enough, since the region is known for wildfires, the least smoke-prone locations are currently in the western U.S., especially west of the Rockies," he wrote. "The most prolific smoke producing fires are in Canada's east, and blazes in Canada's west are far enough north that their smoke is swept eastward and away from the West Coast."

How else can travelers stay safe from smoke?

On road trips, McCormack recommends drivers use the recycle air function in conjunction with the car's air conditioning.

"It's that little button that looks like a curved arrow," she said. "When we're recycling the air, it is going through cleaning cycles."

At your rental or hotel, close the windows and run the air conditioning. If you own a portable HEPA air purifier, pack it. For outdoor activities, downgrade the intensity level when the air quality is low. For instance, instead of going on a vigorous trail run, take a leisurely hike.