Triple-digit heat and Canadian wildfire smoke prompt health warnings in NJ
If what’s happening over the Midwest is any indication, the next day or so may cause flashbacks to June 2023, the day the sky turned orange, all thanks to those stubborn Canadian wildfires.
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It was another near-triple-digit heat day and with increasing levels of smoke on the way, it can become extra dangerous to sensitive populations.
If what’s happening over the Midwest is any indication, the next day or so may cause flashbacks to June 2023, the day the sky turned orange, all thanks to those stubborn Canadian wildfires.
Dr. Eric Costanzo is sounding the warning from his office at Shore Pulmonary.
“It almost feels like it’s history repeating itself. This is real, and honestly, when the quality dips and the temperatures are high, you must heed those warnings,” said Dr. Costanzo.
“Our patient population, specifically pulmonary patients, struggle with heat. Now you add poor air quality and air quality really is the driving factor to aggravate underlying lung disease,” he said.
Experts say the thicker the smoke, the lower the temperature will be, but remaining dangerously hot.
AAA recommends never leaving aerosols, medicine and electronics inside sweltering vehicles.
Ocean Township Fire Marshal Joseph Sansone says remove anything containing lithium-ion batteries.
“Cars can get anywhere from 130 to 160 degrees on the dashboard. It can start to swell the battery and potentially cause a fire and melting things around it and catching the car on fire,” said Sansone.
With the steady west wind, little to no relief was found for the hundreds gathered at the annual Belmar Sandcastle Contest outside of the water, where the heat index soared to 105 degrees.
“The heat’s perfect. Take a dip in the cold ocean, come out, feel refreshed. Stay hydrated. They got plenty of drinks for us, so it’s awesome,” said Erik Ostreyko, of North Brunswick.
