The state of Iowa is under an air quality advisory due to thick smoke drifting in from wildfires burning in Canada. The smoke started moving into Iowa early Wednesday and is spreading across the entire state.
Smoke From Canada Reaches Iowa
As a result, a warning has been issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and will be in effect until Thursday at 6 a.m.
Wildfire smoke contains tiny harmful particles that can float in the air for long distances. These particles are so small that people can breathe them deep into their lungs without even noticing. This is why the air quality has become a serious concern. As the smoke builds up, air quality levels in some parts of Iowa may reach the “red” zone on the Air Quality Index (AQI). That level is officially called “unhealthy” and can affect everyone, not just people with health problems.
Even healthy adults are at risk when the air reaches this “red” threshold. The very young, the older, and anyone with heart or breathing problems—like asthma—are at even higher risk. These groups need to take extra care by staying indoors and avoiding any heavy exercise or work outside.
Why This Smoke Is So Harmful
The smoke coming in from Canada contains fine particles called PM2.5. These particles are smaller than the width of a human hair, and they’re what make wildfire smoke so dangerous. These particles have the potential to harm the heart and lungs when inhaled. Chest tightness, breathing difficulties, and coughing can result with even brief exposure.
Children are especially sensitive. They breathe more quickly than adults because their lungs are still developing. This means they take in more air—and more harmful particles for their size. Older adults also face higher risks because their lungs may not work as well as they used to. People with existing conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, or heart disease may find their symptoms getting worse.
The DNR has advised all sensitive groups to avoid outdoor physical activity while the advisory is active. People who usually work outside—like construction workers, delivery staff, and farmers—should be careful and try to reduce the time they spend outdoors. Schools and sports groups may also need to think about moving events indoors for safety.
Even though some areas in Iowa saw rain on Wednesday, it did not help clean the air. Normally, rain can help by washing smoke particles out of the sky. But in this case, even the heavier rain in places like Emmetsburg didn’t seem to make any real difference. The air monitors still showed high levels of pollution in those areas.
What Iowans Should Know and Do
The thickest smoke is expected to stretch from the southwest part of Iowa up through the northeast. This wide path means that many cities and towns are being affected at the same time. The smoke doesn’t need to be right at the ground to cause problems—it can hang in the upper layers of the air and still lead to poor air quality on the ground.
While this smoke is harmful to breathe, it can also cause the sky to look very different. People may notice deep red or orange sunsets in the evening. This happens because the smoke particles block some of the light from the sun, changing the way the sky looks. It may be beautiful, but it’s also a reminder that the air is not safe to breathe.
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The DNR continues to monitor the situation and updates its air quality index regularly. People across Iowa are encouraged to check their local air quality before heading outside. If the air quality is poor, the best thing to do is stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid physical exertion. Using air purifiers indoors can also help make the air inside safer to breathe.
This air quality advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday. However, the amount of smoke in the air could still shift depending on changes in the wind. For now, Iowans should stay alert and take steps to protect their health as long as the smoke remains over the state.
