On Monday evening, the wind will turn and the smoke from the fire at the Ust-Luga oil terminal may reach Estonia.
According to the Environmental Agency's forecast, the wind will start blowing from the east this evening and overnight, and smoke from the Ust-Luga area will be able to move towards Estonia with it. On Tuesday and also on Wednesday (1 April), the wind will blow from the north, and the smoke from Ust-Luga may move over Lake Peipus; however, the majority of the smoke is expected to be carried east of Lake Peipus into Russia. At the same time, smoke that has risen higher will be able to move across our borders in a north-easterly flow. This possibility also exists for the night before Thursday, but afterwards, south-westerly winds will become dominant in both near-surface and higher air layers, carrying the smoke back towards Karelia and North-West Russia.
The smoke from such a fire contains various particles that can cause health problems. Those with chronic illnesses, the elderly, children, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable and should stay indoors as much as possible if feasible.
„There may be a smell of smoke and some smog in Ida-Virumaa. We recommend that more sensitive individuals stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and also turn off forced ventilation,“ said Meelis Mesi, an official from the Rescue Board.
“The smoke from fires of such intensity and the pollutants generated there can be carried tens and even hundreds of kilometres away, depending on weather conditions. A lack of precipitation and rising air currents favour the spread of pollution,” explained Erik Teinemaa, head of the Air Quality and Climate Department at the Estonian Environment Research Centre. The Ust-Luga port is located 25 kilometres from Narva as the crow flies.
If you are feeling unwell, Rescue 112 recommends contacting the family doctor's advice line on 1220. Estonia's air quality can be monitored on the website: https://ohuseire.ee/