As Chief Pathfinder of CHC and a health care professional, I feel it is my responsibility to provide guidance for hiking in smoke filled northern Ohio.  I highly encourage you to not hike tonight, Thursday 7/16 or tomorrow, Friday, 7/17.  

At 3:00 PM today the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Northeast Ohio was measured from 712in Brecksville to 439 in Mentor.  Chagrin Falls was at 626 and Rocky River was at 623.  All of these locations are considered to be at the highest level, Hazardous!  An AQI of 0 – 50 is considered Good; 151 – 200 Unhealthy; 300+ Hazardous.

The smoke from the Canadian wildfires is filled with harmful gases and are small particles.  Even though you may smell the smoke and can’t see the particles they can enter your body and do damage.  Exposure to these particles at high concentrations while hiking could lead to respiratory damage down the road.

Again, please consider not hiking when the AQI is greater than the Good level.

Marianne Vest

Chief Pathfinder