Wildfire smoke carries airborne pollutants into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, potentially adding nutrients and other contaminants to local waterways.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires can affect both air quality and environmental conditions across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Airborne pollutants, including nitrogen, may travel long distances before settling on land or washing into waterways, where excess nutrients can contribute to algae growth and low-oxygen conditions in the Bay.
The full effect of individual wildfire events on the Bay remains difficult to determine and depends on weather patterns, the duration of the smoke, and subsequent rainfall. More frequent and intense wildfires could increase pollution transported into the region, while reducing emissions from power plants, vehicles, and other controllable sources can help limit the watershed’s overall pollution burden.
