A significant wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, has triggered air quality alerts across four counties. The "Jones Road Wildfire" has consumed over 15,250 acres, raising concerns about the health impacts of smoke exposure.
On Wednesday, several southern coastal areas were categorized in the "red zone" with an air quality index (AQI) of 173. An AQI above 100 is considered unhealthy.
The American Lung Association reports that wildfires contribute to worsening particle pollution. Smoke from the 2023 Canadian wildfires already impacted air quality in all 21 New Jersey counties.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory health problems. Older residents, children, outdoor workers, pregnant women, and low-income communities are particularly vulnerable.
Experts warn that human-caused global warming and drought conditions increase the risk of wildfires. They consider the New Jersey wildfires a potential "warning sign."
The American Lung Association emphasizes that air quality monitoring is limited. The available data, however, indicates a concerning trend of worsening air quality in the region.