DEEP forecasts 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' air quality July 15 and 16 for all of Connecticut from Canadian wildfire smoke

HARTFORD, Conn.— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) forecasts that air quality across the state will reach or exceed levels that are high Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on Wednesday, July 15. In addition, Fairfield, New Haven, and Litchfield counties will reach or exceed levels that are high Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) to Unhealthy on Thursday, July 16 due to Canadian wildfire smoke in the outdoor air we breathe.

What You Should Do

If you are in a sensitive group, which includes young children, the elderly or anyone who has pre-existing health concerns such as asthma, heart or lung problems, then you should:

Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense and take more breaks.
Watch for symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath and follow your health care provider’s action plan.

For everyone else:

Limit time outdoors, especially in the afternoon and evening
Move workouts and activities indoors or reschedule
Take frequent breaks if you must be outside

If You Feel Symptoms

Stop activity and go indoors right away if you experience:

Coughing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Eye or throat irritation

Seek medical care if symptoms are severe or do not improve.

Reduce Your Exposure

Keep windows and doors closed
Run air conditioning on recirculate
Use a HEPA air purifier if available
Avoid adding indoor pollution (e.g., burning candles, smoking, vacuuming without HEPA filters)

Ozone is formed when air pollution from fossil fuel combusted by both local and upwind sources, including vehicles, power plants and other industrial sources, combines in the presence of summer-like temperatures.

How do Forest Fires in Ontario Impact Connecticut?

According to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, more than 830 fires are burning across Canada. The wildfire smoke from southern Ontario is heading towards Connecticut because of a stalled upper-level low-pressure system over eastern Canada and a cold front passage on Wednesday afternoon. With this weather pattern, winds at all levels of the atmosphere are from the northwest for inland areas and these winds will persist through Wednesday. The following image shows the fire location with the smoke plume from the EPA Fire and Smoke Map at 9:30 a.m. The satellite image from 9 a.m. today shows a thick smoke plume over the Great Lakes region, heading southwest towards New York and the New England states. Currently, the PM2.5 levels at the surface are in the high Moderate range in southeastern Connecticut and USG to unhealthy range across the remainder of the state. Wildfire smoke impacts are expected to increase throughout the afternoon and persist through Thursday with hazy skies and elevated PM2.5 levels.

“The wildfire smoke impacting Connecticut today and tomorrow will produce unhealthy air quality and in combination with higher temperatures is expected to present significant risk to our most vulnerable residents,” said DEEP Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino. “We urge everyone to use caution over the next several days as you plan your outdoor activities.”

"We know Connecticut residents want to enjoy the outdoors in the summer. This week's air quality conditions are a temporary but important reminder to plan around them, especially for sensitive groups," said Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D. "I'm urging residents, especially children, older adults, and anyone with asthma or heart or lung conditions, to take this air quality alert seriously. Simple steps like moving activities indoors and keeping windows closed can make a real difference in protecting your health. If you, a family member, friend or neighbor starts feeling symptoms like chest tightness or eye irritation, don't wait, head indoors and seek care if symptoms worsen."

Weather Summary and Air Quality Alert

On Wednesday, northwest winds inland will funnel thick smoke from Canadian wildfires into Connecticut, bringing hazy skies. By late afternoon, a cold front approaching from the US/Canadian border will sweep across the state before clearing the coast by Wednesday night. Expect highs in the low 90s, with southwest winds along the coast.

On Thursday, the cold front remains offshore as second cold front moves south from the US/Canadian border. In the morning, winds shift from the northwest to the west inland, allowing for continued transport of wildfire smoke into the state. Skies are expected to remain hazy with temperatures reaching the mid to high 80s.

Map of Air Quality Forecast for Wednesday, July 15, 2026