Canadian Wildfires Cause Spike in Air Pollution Across France
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has led to higher PM10 levels in France, but remains within safe limits.
Key Points
- • Smoke from Canadian wildfires affected air quality in France.
- • PM10 particle concentrations increased by 5 to 15 µg/m³.
- • Real-time measurements confirmed predictions of smoke dispersion.
- • Air quality levels did not exceed health risk thresholds.
On June 10, 2025, experts confirmed that smoke from the recent Canadian wildfires has significantly impacted air quality in France. The smoke initially high in the atmosphere descended to surface levels, affecting air quality from west to east of the country on June 9 and continuing into June 10. Real-time measurements from LIDAR systems supported predictions from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and Prevair models, illustrating the accuracy of these aerial assessments.
Initial analyses reveal that the smoke from Canada increased PM10 particle concentrations by approximately 5 to 15 µg/m³ across France. While this rise in particulate matter is noteworthy, it remains below the critical threshold of 50 µg/m³ set for air quality alerts, indicating that, although concerning, the current levels do not pose an immediate health risk to the population. Experts are continuing to monitor the situation closely, focusing on surface air quality as new data becomes available.