Canadian Wildfire Smoke Spreads Impacting Air Quality for Millions Across Eastern and Midwest U.S.

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2 days ago

There were 203 active wildfires in Canada — with 102 of them deemed as 'out of control.'
Air quality alerts went into effect starting on June 4 at 11 a.m. and through 11 p.m. for New York City, New Jersey and a majority of Connecticut
The smoke that covered most of Minnesota was reported to be the worst air quality in the state since 2023The ongoing Canadian wildfires have reportedly blanketed a third of the United States, affecting millions, with the National Weather Service issuing air quality alerts for several states.
According to the latest figures from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, as of Wednesday, June 4, there were 203 active wildfires in Canada, with 102 of them deemed as 'out of control.'
Over 27,000 Canadians in three provinces have evacuated from their homes due to the blazes, the Associated Press reported.
Air quality alerts went into effect starting on Wednesday at 11 a.m. and through 11 p.m. for New York City, New Jersey, as well as a majority of Connecticut, according to The New York Times, due to the smoke from the fires.
'When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health Effects,' according to the National Weather Service air quality alert for New York City and Westchester and Rockland counties.
'People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease,' the alert reads. 'Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.'
Marc Chenard with the National Weather Service told Reuters that much of the smoke, which the outlet reported has spread to one-third of the U.S., is "aloft in the upper atmosphere, so in a lot of areas there aren't air quality issues. But there are air quality issues as far south as New York and Connecticut, where it's thicker and in the lower atmosphere."
Meanwhile, the air quality index for parts of Illinois, Michigan, Kansas and Missouri has ranged from 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' to 'unhealthy,' as of early Wednesday afternoon, according to AirNow. The air quality index for other parts of the East and Midwest was deemed "moderate."
The smoke that covered most of Minnesota was reported to be the worst air quality in the state since 2023, according to Minnesota Public Radio. An air quality alert for southern, central, north central, and northeast parts of the state went into effect on Tuesday, June 3, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported.
'As the smoke continues to move across the state Tuesday, air quality will slowly improve from northwest to southeast for the remainder of the alert area,' the agency said. 'The smoke is expected to leave the state by Wednesday [June 4] at noon.'
The Environmental Protection Agency said that particle pollution — consisting of a mixture of solid and liquid droplets in the air — is a major part of wildfire smoke, "and the principal public health threat.'
'Individuals at greater risk of health effects from wildfire smoke include those with cardiovascular or respiratory disease, older adults, children under 18 years of age, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those of lower socio-economic status,' the EPA added.
The smoke from the Canadian wildfires has even been reported to spread to Europe, resulting in hazy skies but not enough to impact surface-air quality, said European climate service Copernicus, according to the AP.
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