New data from IQAir shows the lingering impact of recent wildfires on air quality in parts of Merseyside. On Sunday, residents in parts of Liverpool were told to close their windows and doors after a 'blanket of smoke' was reported to be covering parts of the city. People in south Liverpool in particular told of a strong smell of smoke in the air.
Origin of the Smoke
The smoke arrived after large blazes erupted in both North Wales and Greater Manchester, with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirming these fires were the origin of the blanket of smoke hanging over Liverpool. A major incident was declared in North Wales as firefighters battled fires in Conwy and Gwynedd, with some residents living close to the Sychnant Pass area forced to evacuate their homes. Meanwhile, in Greater Manchester, firefighters were called to Dovestone Reservoir after a huge moor fire broke out.
Air Quality Readings in Merseyside
Both fires sent plumes of smoke across large parts of the North West, including Merseyside. According to IQAir at the time of writing on Wednesday late afternoon, Merseyside's air monitors are all classed as 'moderate', rather than 'good', though none are currently breaking into the 'unhealthy' or 'very unhealthy' sections. The highest current air quality reading in the region is 90, recorded close to Thirlmere Park near Breck Road in Walton. Another moderately high rating of 73 has been recorded at a site near Salisbury Road in the Wavertree area of Liverpool. An even higher rating of 99 can be found at a site in Newton-le-Willows in St Helens.
Health Guidance
According to guidance on the website, any air quality rating higher than 300 is considered hazardous, and any figure exceeding 151 increases the 'likelihood of adverse effects and aggravation to the heart and lungs among general public - particularly for sensitive groups.' The website recommends that 'everyone should avoid outdoor exercise and take care to wear a pollution mask outdoors' in an area with a quality between 151 and 200. Ventilation is also discouraged, and air purifiers should be turned on, it advises.
Worse Conditions Near Greater Manchester
While the air quality is far from good in Merseyside, things are much worse closer to Greater Manchester, where the Dovestone Reservoir fire occurred. Readings of 118 near Withington in Manchester are classed as unhealthy for sensitive groups, while an even higher rating of 152 between Chorlton and Sale is classed as generally unhealthy.
Climate Change Warning
The smoke that arrived in Liverpool this week prompted a warning from Liverpool Green Party leader Cllr Tom Crone about the impact of climate change in terms of very hot weather and associated moorland fires. Cllr Crone said: 'This is what climate change looks like and we believe our city, and our country, are woefully unprepared. We are immensely grateful to those who work in the fire service and head into danger to protect other people. But this is only going to get worse unless we rapidly decarbonise our city and put huge investment in green jobs of the future for our young people. Our thoughts are also with anyone fleeing their home in Wales or Greater Manchester.'
