Impact of Quebec Forest Fires

In early July 2002, the northeastern part of the United States felt the effects of fires burning in northern Quebec, Canada. Elevated particulate matter (PM) concentrations were recorded in many areas of the New England and Mid-Atlantic states from 6 to 8 July. The aerial photograph below shows the extent of the smoke plume on 7 July 2002 over sections of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) recorded the smoke event at air monitoring stations located throughout New York State. The fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) data were generated using R&P's TEOM Series 1400a Ambient Particulate Monitor. A time series plot of PM-2.5 concentrations from air monitoring stations around the state (below) showed varying impact from the smoke plume. The site with the highest recorded particulate matter concentration was on the summit of Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondack Mountains in the northern part of the state. The Buffalo and Niagara stations located in the western area of the state show a different pattern than the cities further to the east.

The varying impact of the Quebec fire event upon air monitoring sites in New York States can be seen in the comparison below between the daily mean PM-2.5 concentrations for 6 and 7 July. Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester are located in the western part of the state, and do not exhibit the the greatly increased particulate matter concentration on 7 July 2002.

- Aug 02 -

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