Wildfire Smoke

Letter carriers and other people who work outdoors, especially in the upper Midwest and East, are experiencing hazardous levels of smoke from Canadian wildfires. Some areas have been experiencing AQI (Air Quality Index) measurements of over 300, even over 500, with local authorities advising residents to stay indoors. As temperatures continue to rise from climate change and vegetation dries out and catches fire from lightning, this situation will get worse. We are being given advice by Postal Service management and our union leadership to make individual decisions about whether we are safe delivering mail in these conditions. Wrong!