Smoky Skies and Studio Struggles: Navigating Minnesota's Wildfire Air Quality
If you're in Minnesota, you know the story: the air quality this year has been nothing short of alarming. The seemingly endless haze, the orange-tinged sunsets, and the constant health warnings have become a part of our daily lives, all thanks to the devastating wildfires burning in Canada. It's been more than just an inconvenience; it's significantly impacted our daily routines and, for many of us, our livelihoods.
As a potter, the poor air quality has thrown a serious wrench in my studio schedule. Many of my pieces require firing in my electric kiln, a process that necessitates turning off the AC (or heat, depending on the time of year) for about two to two and a half days per firing. The reason is a little more specific than just saving energy: our house's air is drawn through the basement, right where the kiln is located. This means when the kiln is firing, the HVAC system could be pulling in the heat and fumes from the kiln and circulating them throughout the house. Needless to say, asking my household to endure that kind of temperature swing for days on end, especially with already unhealthy air outside, has been a tough ask.
What's made it even more challenging is the sheer number of "air quality alert" days we've experienced. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Minnesota has seen an unprecedented number of air quality alerts in 2023 due to wildfire smoke. In fact, by mid-summer, the number of alert days had already surpassed previous annual records. These alerts often advise against prolonged outdoor activity, making outdoor art fairs and markets—a crucial part of many artists' income—simply impossible.
Beyond the outdoor show cancellations, the poor air quality has directly impacted my firing schedule. I've had to postpone several firing days because it felt irresponsible to add more potential irritants into the indoor air, even with precautions. It's a frustrating cycle: bad outdoor air quality leads to delays in my work, which then impacts my ability to participate in the few events that aren't canceled.
My current goal is to get my kiln moved into the garage. This would be a game-changer, allowing me to fire without disrupting the temperature inside the house and hopefully mitigating some of the concerns around indoor air quality during firings. It's a project in progress, but one I'm prioritizing.
Like many Minnesotans, I'm hoping for a shift in the weather patterns and a respite from the persistent smoke. In the meantime, we'll continue to adapt, support each other, and keep creating whenever we can, even if it means navigating a smokier-than-usual artistic landscape. Stay safe out there, Minnesota!
