Wildfire smoke has blanketed Vermont multiple times this summer, clogging the air and making it unhealthy for vulnerable people to be outdoors.Towns across Vermont have seen several days when the air quality was "unhealthy for sensitive groups" — and Environmental Protection Agency data analyzed by Vermont Public shows an upward trend in recent years .
Source:
vermontpublic.orgScientists note that while fire has historically been part of northeastern ecosystems, the frequency and intensity of wildfires have increased due to human-caused climate change.The primary source of this smoke is Canada's boreal forests, where record-breaking fires in 2023 — the worst wildfire season on record for the country — sent smoky skies across Vermont.These fires were fueled by prolonged droughts exacerbated by warming temperatures, with lightning strikes and human activities like logging practices contributing to fire risk .
Source:
vermontpublic.orgThis summer’s smoke, however, originates from northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where unmanaged forests are burning due to similar climatic conditions.Climate scientists confirm that northern latitudes are warming faster than most regions, creating drier conditions that make forests more susceptible to fires."The question is: how much worse is the drought because of the anomalously warm temperatures linked to global warming?" asked Justin Mankin of Dartmouth College.Warmer temperatures accelerate evaporation, drying out vegetation and turning forests into kindling for wildfires .
Source:
vermontpublic.orgIn Canada’s boreal region, fires that once occurred every 50 years are now burning every decade, threatening species like jack pine and balsam fir that rely on fire cycles for regeneration .
Source:
vermontpublic.orgThe health impacts of wildfire smoke are severe.PM2.5 particles from smoky air penetrate deep into lung tissue, causing respiratory issues and long-term health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions.Vermont’s Air Quality Index (AQI) data shows that smoky days now rival historical ozone pollution episodes, though the EPA has largely addressed industrial ozone through regulations."The most widely experienced impact of climate change in the Northeast will be poor air quality from wildfire smoke," Mank, a Dartmouth researcher, said .
Source:
vermontpublic.orgVermont’s reputation as a climate refuge is being tested.While its cool climate and abundant rainfall historically made it resistant to extreme heat and drought, recent years have seen unrelenting rainstorms, localized droughts, and toxic algae blooms in Lake Champlain — all linked to climate change.Zack Porter, who moved from Montana to Vermont seeking respite from wildfires, now faces flooding and smoke that mirror the conditions he fled."This summer has maybe burst the bubble" of Vermont’s myth as a safe haven, according to state health officials .
Source:
vtdigger.orgExperts warn that wildfire trends will continue as global temperatures rise.The National Interagency Fire Center reports burned acreage in the US has increased since the 1980s, with peak fire seasons shifting earlier in the year.While Canada and the US manage wildfires differently, both nations face worsening conditions due to shared climate drivers."Smoke knows no boundaries," said Lori Daniels of the University of British Columbia, noting that wind patterns carry smoke from Canadian fires across the Midwest and Northeast .
Source:
npr.orgFor now, Vermonters are advised to monitor air quality, wear N95 masks during smoky periods, and limit outdoor activity when AQI levels reach "unhealthy" thresholds.As climate change reshapes wildfire patterns, the state’s role as a climate refuge may require reevaluation — not just for its residents, but for the broader region facing escalating smoke impacts .
