More hot, dry weather forecast as Canada battles wildfires
Canadian officials are warning of tough days ahead for fighting growing wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba with hot and dry weather in the weekend forecast.
The wildfires have forced thousands to evacuate in the two prairie provinces, with both this week declaring states of emergency.
Smoke from the fires has triggered air quality alerts in Canada and as far as Chicago, where forecasters say the smell of smoke will be noticeable by Friday evening.
There are also air quality advisories in place in parts of the US Upper Midwest, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
"Conditions maybe unhealthy for sensitive groups and there is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the unhealthy range for a short period of time," the state of Michigan said on Friday.
The advisories in Michigan and Wisconsin are currently in place through Saturday morning.
Residents in northern Minnesota have been warned smoke could reach levels "unhealthy for everyone", with the rest of the state facing air quality that could effect those in sensitive groups. That alert runs through Monday evening.
There are 15 wildfires burning in Saskatchewan as of Friday, with the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) classifying conditions in the province as extreme.
Seven of those fires are not contained, according to data from the province.
In Manitoba, there is a total of 22 fires burning, according to the province's fire situation report, with four classified as out of control.
Thousands of people from 16 communities had been forced to evacuate in Saskatchewan this week as a result of the fires. Similar evacuations took place in Manitoba, affecting 17,000 people.
All residents of Flin Flon, Manitoba, a community of about 5,000, have been told to leave by midday on Friday due to a large blaze threatening the town.
Danielle Desjardins, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada based in Winnipeg, told the BBC that the forecast for both provinces does not spell relief any time soon, with hot and dry conditions expected to continue into the weekend.
A cold front is expected to hit some parts of Saskatchewan, bringing with it some rain, but its current forecasted path narrowly misses the regions where the fires are burning.
"The bad news about this cold front is it's going to be windy," said Ms Desjardins, adding that the wind, coupled with the heat and lack of rain, are prime conditions for wildfire spread.
She said Saskatchewan has been "extremely dry" since March, and is experiencing abnormally warm weather for May that has pushed temperatures to above 30C (86F).
She added that anecdotally, "it's one of the worst (wildfire seasons) in recent years for Saskatchewan".
How climate change worsens heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods
There is also concern smoke from Canada's fires could affect the G7, being held in mid-June in Alberta. Fires are currently burning in the northern part of the province.
Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record in 2023, when over 42 million acres (17.3m hectares) burned - an area larger than all of England - and more than double the previous record.
Smoke from those wildfires blanketed cities south of Canada's border into the US, including New York City.
But the 2023 fires were more acutely felt in Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. This year, it is Saskatchewan and Manitoba that are seeing the largest fires to date.
Fires happen naturally in many parts of the world. It is difficult to know if climate change has caused or worsened a specific wildfire because other factors are also relevant, such as changes to the way land is used.
But climate change is making the weather conditions needed for wildfires to spread more likely, the IPCC, the UN's climate body, says.
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Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Cities Most at Risk for Rise in Heart Attacks as Canadian Wildfires Burn
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Some residents of several major cities in the Midwest could face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to descend into the United States this week. "Exposure to particulate matter air pollution causes inflammation in the lungs. This can manifest as worsening of respiratory symptoms, particularly in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," Dr. Scott Budinger, the chief of pulmonary and critical care in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University, told Newsweek. "[E]ven more importantly, exposure to particulate matter air pollution acutely increases the risk of heart attacks or strokes," he added. 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The smoke has even reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, where it had less of an impact on physical health. At least eight states were under air quality alerts on Thursday morning, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirNow map showing the current Air Quality Index as "unhealthy" in areas such as Chicago, Illinois, and Lansing and Grand Rapids, Michigan. This AQI is unhealthy for everyone to breathe. A map from the U.S. EPA's AirNow shows cities with unhealthy air quality as of Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time. A map from the U.S. EPA's AirNow shows cities with unhealthy air quality as of Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time. AirNow The less severe but still impactful Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI was much more widespread, stretching across parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and into the Northeast, including Maine and New York. Wildfire smoke contains high concentrations of PM2.5—fine particulate matter that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Exposure is linked to worsening symptoms in those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but acute cardiovascular risks, including heart attacks and strokes, may be even more pronounced. City populations face greater danger when air pollution is trapped near the surface during stagnant weather conditions. In some instances, people were asked to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing during the poor air quality event. If coughs persist for more than seven days or are accompanied by shortness of breath, people should visit their doctor or seek more urgent care if necessary. People are urged to remain indoors and keep their windows closed to prevent exposure. What People Are Saying Dr. Scott Budinger, the chief of pulmonary and critical care in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University, told Newsweek: "People who have known blockages in their arteries or a history of heart attacks or strokes and people with chronic lung diseases like asthma and COPD should avoid exposure. They should also be vigilant about taking all of the prescribed medications for their disease." Budinger added: "You can reduce the risk of exposure by staying indoors with the windows closed. Indoor levels of particulate matter air pollution are typically much lower than those outside in a heated or air conditioned home or business—as much as 10 times less. For example, it might be better to take a walk in a health club or mall rather than outside if the particulate levels are high." An air quality alert issued in Michigan: "It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices." What Happens Next Air quality alerts remained in effect in many cities in the Upper Midwest through the end of the week, with meteorologists forecasting that wildfire smoke could persist for several more days. Public health officials continue to advise at-risk populations in major cities to closely monitor advisories, limit outdoor activities during high-pollution periods, and use indoor air filtration.
Yahoo
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Hazy sky to persist as Canadian wildfire smoke and Saharan dust invade US
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A cycle of smoke from Canadian wildfires The 2025 Canadian wildfire season is off to a quick start, and the result has been plumes of thick smoke pouring into the U.S. since May. Because of how Canada manages these fires, mostly burning unabated in unpopulated areas, the smoke will continue to flow south in cycles through the summer, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. According to data released by the Canadian government last week, nearly 1,500 fires have burned so far in the country. While this number is not unusual, the size of the fires has been, covering an area that's over 300 percent of the historical average for this time of year, mostly in the prairies of central Canada. From last week into early this week, plumes of smoke dimmed the sky and led to poor air quality in Midwestern locales before heading south and east. That smoke has now mostly retreated or dissipated from the lower 48 states. 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Unlike with thick wildfire smoke plumes, the Saharan dust will remain mostly in the upper atmosphere, because of the great distance of thousands of miles it must travel to reach the U.S. Because of that, poor air quality is not anticipated in either the Caribbean or Southeast, though some of the dust can mix with rain from thunderstorms, leaving what appears to be dirty spots on cars and other objects. The dust can have an effect of quelling potential tropical development, however. "This dust will likely prevent anything from forming across most of the Atlantic tropical basin over the next few weeks," pointed out DaSilva. "The only areas that can see a risk of development will be across the western Caribbean or in the Gulf." AccuWeather meteorologists are currently highlighting a low risk for tropical development in that area through mid-June. The hurricane season as a whole, which runs through Nov. 30, is expected to be an active one, especially after Saharan dust subsides. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Smoky skies, local air quality impacts continues today
We're continuing to monitor the Canadian wildfire smoke and how it is impacting our local air quality. We're also watching a cold front approaching from the northwest today. That passing boundary and its associated precipitation should be able to 'wash' the atmosphere clean of the smoke by Friday. Until that 'wash' happens, we should expect another day of local air quality impacts. The hazy, smoky sunshine will illuminate the landscape in a unique, dull look just as we have become accustomed to the last few days. Similar to every other day this week, the smoke will remain high up in the atmosphere. That will result in another day with a 'Moderate' Air Quality Index readout. This means that the most sensitive groups (elderly, infants/toddlers, those with breathing problems/respiratory conditions) should take it extra easy if outside, especially as we toss more heat and humidity into the forecast today. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
