Latest news with #CIFFC
7 hours ago
- Climate
Canadian wildfire smoke continues to worsen air quality in several US states
Smoke from raging wildfires in Canada continues to bring dangerous air quality conditions to parts of the northern United States, with hazy and smoky skies also possible for the East and South. As of Tuesday, there are 208 active wildfires burning in Canada, with 107 of these considered to be "out of control," meaning fires that are being observed and assessed, but not immediately suppressed, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The haze from the wildfires -- which was seen all the way to the Gulf Coast on Monday -- will continue to travel into the East and the South on Tuesday, bringing a lightly tinted sunset in the Northeast. There are not currently any air quality alerts for the East or South since the smoke is expected to stay below the surface, but potentially dangerous conditions are expected in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. On Tuesday morning, Minneapolis was among the top 10 worst air quality conditions in the world. While the entire state of Minnesota is under an air quality alert until Wednesday afternoon, eastern Minnesota is expected to reach an "unhealthy" air quality index, or level four of six on the AQI Index. In these conditions, most people could experience irritated eyes, nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, the pollution control agency said. Rain on Tuesday should alleviate the poor air quality briefly, but there is a chance for additional heavy smoke later Tuesday afternoon, especially from Duluth to Minneapolis. Air quality conditions should improve on Wednesday across Minnesota as the smoke continues to move east. As of Tuesday, the areas of Canada with the most fires include British Columbia with 74 and Alberta with 16, according to the CIFFC. Last week, the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba declared state of emergencies due to the fires, with around 17,000 residents already evacuated, according to The Associated Press. The combination of dry conditions and "little-to-no precipitation" will continue to feed the flames and make it difficult for officials to manage the fires, Saskatchewan Public Safety said on Sunday. During a press conference on Monday, Saskatchewan Public Safety discouraged any nonessential travel due to the significant fire activity. Aircraft and dozens of personnel from other Canadian provinces and the United States -- including Arizona, Oregon and Alaska -- are being sent to help fight the wildfires, according to the Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. Moe said last week there has been a "significant lack of moisture" in the northern parts of the province, causing "over 200 wildfires" in Saskatchewan this spring.
Fast Company
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Fast Company
Where are the wildfires in Canada? Maps pinpoint the location of fires and air-quality threats from smoke
Since the weekend, several major fires have been raging across Canada's central and western provinces. The smoke from those fires is now drifting south across the U.S. border and is significantly impacting air quality in several U.S. cities. Here's what you need to know about the Canadian wildfires and their impact on the United States. What's happened? Last week, several fires began raging across large portions of Canada, particularly in its central and western provinces, reports CNN. The wildfires are something that happens every year, but in recent years, their range and intensity have grown worse thanks to the drier conditions spurred on by climate change. Data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) shows that as of Monday, June 2, active fires were raging in Canada. Those fires have been classified into four stages of control: 107 are raging 'out of control' 26 are said to 'being held' 68 are 'under control' 7 are 'out of control' and being monitored Of the active fires, 74 are in Canada's westernmost province, British Columbia, which is above the U.S. states of Washington and Montana. The western province of Alberta has the second-highest number of active fires, with 56. Alberta stands above Montana. The central province of Manitoba currently has 25 active fires, followed by Ontario with 19 and Saskatchewan with 16. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario span the northern border of the United States from Montana to New York. While the fires' most disastrous effects are being felt by the Canadian people who live near their epicenters, residents of the United States are also being impacted due to the smoke from the fires drifting into the U.S. Canadian wildfire and smoke impact maps 2025 There are several good mapping resources for those wanting to track the wildfire outbreak and its smoke effects across Canada and the United States. The first map is maintained by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). The interactive map displays the active fires that are currently raging in Canada. It color codes the fires based on their stage. There are four stages: Under control (blue): The wildfire is completely contained and will be extinguished. Being held (yellow): Given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past expected boundaries. Out of Control (Monitored) (purple): Fires with a monitored response type are being observed and assessed, but not immediately suppressed. As there is no suppression action being taken, these fires are considered out of control until declared out for national reporting purposes. Out of Control (red): The wildfire is burning and is expected to continue growing. The map further displays fires in all four stages based on their size, represented by dots of three different diameters. The smallest dots signify that the fire covers 1 to 100 hectares The medium dot signifies an area of 101 to 1,000 hectares The largest dot signifies an area of greater than 1,000 hectares As the CIFFC's map shows, some of the largest fires currently burning out of control are in central Canada, though there are several large fires northwest of Winnipeg, just over Montana's border, that are currently burning out of control. The second map is provided by It displays air quality data from several U.S. government sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The AirNow map casts colors across the United States that represent the air quality. Those colors are: Green: good air quality Yellow: moderate Orange: unhealthy for sensitive groups Red: unhealthy Purple: very unhealthy Brown: hazardous The map currently shows that the worst air quality in America is in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana—the states directly under some of the worst fires in Manitoba and Ontario. Several cities in Minnesota and Wisconsin are under orange 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' and red 'unhealthy' conditions, including the Duluth and Twin Cities areas of Minnesota, along with Madison and Milwaukee in Wisconsin. However, much of the central eastern and eastern seaboard of the United States, extending all the way to Florida, is also under yellow 'moderate' air quality conditions due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires drifting south. But some better news is on the horizon—at least when it comes to air quality in the United States. AirNow's map shows that on Wednesday, air quality should improve in the Minnesota and Wisconsin areas, reducing from red 'unhealthy' status to orange 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' only. Unfortunately for Canada, the country is only at the beginning of its annual wildfire season. Already, the nation is at a National Preparedness Level (NPL) of five—the highest possible and one in which 'full commitment of national resources is ongoing' to support fighting the fires. As noted by CNN, Canada did not reach the NPL level of five last year until July 15. This year, it reached that level on May 28.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Which US states will see smoke from Canadian wildfires? EPA issues air quality warnings
Fallout from the over 100 wildfires currently blazing across Canada is again being felt by U.S. states. There were 181 active fires in Canada as of Monday, with 90 being classified as "out of control" and 62 as "under control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). Most of those fires, 69, were in British Columbia, followed by 49 in Alberta, 14 to 15 in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, and a handful more spread across other territories. The situation was categorized as a five, the highest rank on the National Preparedness Level, early Monday afternoon, meaning, "Wildland fire activity is significant within one or more jurisdictions," and "Firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction in Canada is put to use and international help has been requested." In the U.S., smoke from the fires has already been detected drifting through Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota. More states, ranging as far south as Florida and as far east and north as New York, may soon experience hazy or compromised air as well. Here is what to know as of Monday, June 2. Parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois had swaths of air quality warnings ranging from "moderate" and "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "unhealthy" for all as of Monday afternoon, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow tracker. Nebraska, Montana and Kansas also have small areas of "moderate" air quality warnings near borders with other impacted states. The red zone classified as the most "unhealthy" covers an area near Fargo, Minnesota that stretches northward from Ashby past Dugdale and into the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and eastward from Barnesville to Davies. Smoke and compromised air quality may drift eastward later Monday and into Tuesday, according to the EPA's forecast tracker, with "unhealthy for sensitive groups" warnings expected to extend into Wisconsin and "unhealthy" quality focusing on the coast from Manitowoc and south past Kenosha into Zion. This stretch of smoky air will impact cities including Burlington, Sheboygan, and Milwaukee. Air quality warnings of "moderate" and "unhealthy for sensitive groups" status will extend from Minnesota all the way down into Texas and Florida and east towards Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas on Monday. Tuesday, they could reach as far as New York and even a small fraction of Connecticut. Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota will take the brunt of more serious air quality warnings that day, according to the forecast. Forecasts from FireSmoke Canada predicted the smoke fallout with extend even further, all the way up into Maine, hitting major population centers on the East Coast along the way. The air quality index, or AQI, measures the air quality and level of health concern it presents as measured by the Environmental Protection Agency. The AQI is measured on a scale of 0 to 500, with higher numbers indicating more hazardous air pollution and increased health concerns. Contributing: Olivia Munson and Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US states to see smoke, air quality issues from Canada wildfires
USA Today
20 hours ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Which US states will see smoke from Canadian wildfires? EPA issues air quality warnings
Which US states will see smoke from Canadian wildfires? EPA issues air quality warnings Show Caption Hide Caption Smoke drifting into US from Canada wildfires could impact health Smoke from Canadian wildfires has been detected drifting in through Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota. Fallout from the over 100 wildfires currently blazing across Canada is again being felt by U.S. states. There were 181 active fires in Canada as of Monday, with 90 being classified as "out of control" and 62 as "under control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). Most of those fires, 69, were in British Columbia, followed by 49 in Alberta, 14 to 15 in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, and a handful more spread across other territories. The situation was categorized as a five, the highest rank on the National Preparedness Level, early Monday afternoon, meaning, "Wildland fire activity is significant within one or more jurisdictions," and "Firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction in Canada is put to use and international help has been requested." In the U.S., smoke from the fires has already been detected drifting through Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota. More states, ranging as far south as Florida and as far east and north as New York, may soon experience hazy or compromised air as well. Here is what to know as of Monday, June 2. Which states may see smoke from the Canadian wildfires? Parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois had swaths of air quality warnings ranging from "moderate" and "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "unhealthy" for all as of Monday afternoon, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow tracker. Nebraska, Montana and Kansas also have small areas of "moderate" air quality warnings near borders with other impacted states. The red zone classified as the most "unhealthy" covers an area near Fargo, Minnesota that stretches northward from Ashby past Dugdale and into the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and eastward from Barnesville to Davies. Air quality concerns throughout the week Smoke and compromised air quality may drift eastward later Monday and into Tuesday, according to the EPA's forecast tracker, with "unhealthy for sensitive groups" warnings expected to extend into Wisconsin and "unhealthy" quality focusing on the coast from Manitowoc and south past Kenosha into Zion. This stretch of smoky air will impact cities including Burlington, Sheboygan, and Milwaukee. Air quality warnings of "moderate" and "unhealthy for sensitive groups" status will extend from Minnesota all the way down into Texas and Florida and east towards Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas on Monday. Tuesday, they could reach as far as New York and even a small fraction of Connecticut. Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota will take the brunt of more serious air quality warnings that day, according to the forecast. Forecasts from FireSmoke Canada predicted the smoke fallout with extend even further, all the way up into Maine, hitting major population centers on the East Coast along the way. See smoke and wildfire map What is AQI? The air quality index, or AQI, measures the air quality and level of health concern it presents as measured by the Environmental Protection Agency. The AQI is measured on a scale of 0 to 500, with higher numbers indicating more hazardous air pollution and increased health concerns. Contributing: Olivia Munson and Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Climate
- Indianapolis Star
Which US states will see smoke from Canadian wildfires? EPA issues air quality warnings
Fallout from the over 100 wildfires currently blazing across Canada is again being felt by U.S. states. There were 181 active fires in Canada as of Monday, with 90 being classified as "out of control" and 62 as "under control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). Most of those fires, 69, were in British Columbia, followed by 49 in Alberta, 14 to 15 in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, and a handful more spread across other territories. The situation was categorized as a five, the highest rank on the National Preparedness Level, early Monday afternoon, meaning, "Wildland fire activity is significant within one or more jurisdictions," and "Firefighters and equipment in every jurisdiction in Canada is put to use and international help has been requested." In the U.S., smoke from the fires has already been detected drifting through Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota. More states, ranging as far south as Florida and as far east and north as New York, may soon experience hazy or compromised air as well. Here is what to know as of Monday, June 2. Parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois had swaths of air quality warnings ranging from "moderate" and "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "unhealthy" for all as of Monday afternoon, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow tracker. Nebraska, Montana and Kansas also have small areas of "moderate" air quality warnings near borders with other impacted states. The red zone classified as the most "unhealthy" covers an area near Fargo, Minnesota that stretches northward from Ashby past Dugdale and into the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and eastward from Barnesville to Davies. Smoke and compromised air quality may drift eastward later Monday and into Tuesday, according to the EPA's forecast tracker, with "unhealthy for sensitive groups" warnings expected to extend into Wisconsin and "unhealthy" quality focusing on the coast from Manitowoc and south past Kenosha into Zion. This stretch of smoky air will impact cities including Burlington, Sheboygan, and Milwaukee. Air quality warnings of "moderate" and "unhealthy for sensitive groups" status will extend from Minnesota all the way down into Texas and Florida and east towards Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas on Monday. Tuesday, they could reach as far as New York and even a small fraction of Connecticut. Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota will take the brunt of more serious air quality warnings that day, according to the forecast. Forecasts from FireSmoke Canada predicted the smoke fallout with extend even further, all the way up into Maine, hitting major population centers on the East Coast along the way. The air quality index, or AQI, measures the air quality and level of health concern it presents as measured by the Environmental Protection Agency. The AQI is measured on a scale of 0 to 500, with higher numbers indicating more hazardous air pollution and increased health concerns.
