Wildfire Smoke Reaches Northeast Ohio: How to Protect Your Health from Poor Air Quality

Published: Jul 16, 2026 - 5:24 p.m.

By Cleveland13 Staff

---

CLEVELAND, OH — Hazy horizons and a distinct scent of burning timber have become more frequent across the Cuyahoga Valley as Canadian wildfire smoke drifts south into the Great Lakes region. While the visual effect is striking, the primary concern for Northeast Ohio residents is not the view but rather the microscopic particles lingering in the air. According to Dr. Fredrick J. Peters Jr., an associate professor of exercise science and health educator, the main culprit is fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. These particles are about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair, which is small enough to bypass the body's natural defenses in the nose and throat. Once inhaled, these particles can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. This is not just a concern for those with breathing issues: PM2.5 exposure is linked to eye irritation, persistent coughing, and increased cardiovascular stress for everyone. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency monitors these levels daily, categorizing air quality into color-coded tiers. When the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches the orange or red levels, the risk to the public increases significantly. While anyone can feel the effects of poor air, Dr. Peters notes that adults over 65, young children, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. Individuals with asthma or COPD should be especially cautious, as these conditions can be worsened by even brief periods of heavy smoke. There are practical ways to limit exposure without staying trapped indoors indefinitely. Dr. Peters suggests moving strenuous workouts inside when air quality dips. Running, cycling, or performing heavy yard work increases your breathing rate, which causes you to inhale significantly more particulate matter than you would while resting. If you are driving through a hazy area, switching your vehicle's climate control to recirculation mode prevents outside smoke from being pulled into the cabin. Improving the air inside your home is another important step. Using a portable HEPA air purifier or upgrading a furnace filter to a MERV 13 rating can help remove fine particles from the air as it circulates. Dr. Peters also recommends keeping windows and doors closed until outdoor conditions improve. For those who must work outside for long periods during a smoke event, a properly fitted N95 respirator is the only effective way to filter out PM2.5; standard cloth or surgical masks do not provide the same level of protection. Residents can monitor real-time air quality levels for their specific ZIP code by visiting the AirNow website or checking the latest updates from the Ohio EPA. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.