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USA Today
2 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Smoke from Canadian wildfires worsens air quality in Dakotas, Midwestern states
Smoke from Canadian wildfires worsens air quality in Dakotas, Midwestern states Canadian wildfires are raising air quality concerns in several states, including the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. 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. Smoke from raging Canadian wildfires is once again worsening air quality in some U.S. states. Parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and other states were all experiencing levels of smoke particulates in the air deemed between moderate and unhealthy the morning of May 31, according to the national air quality map from Forecasters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said the smoke is expected to continue its track south through the Plains states. The smoke is pouring in from blazes in Canada, including in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where authorities said a combination of rising temperatures, winds and low humidity has spread active fires to thousands of acres. At least 17,000 people have been forced to evacuate. Midwestern states including Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan are expected to feel the impacts of the smoke, which will cut across the central part of the country and reach parts of the East Coast later in the day, according to forecasters at FireSmoke Canada. The impacted regions were also among those in the Northeast, Midwest and Plains that experienced unhealthy air quality in the summer of 2023 due to smoke from out-of-control fires in Canada at the time. Then, skylines in several major cities were blanketed by an orange haze and air quality was abysmal for millions of Americans. Air quality alerts issued as US starts to see smoke Minnesotans began to feel the impact from the Canadian wildfires on May 29, and authorities across the Midwest have issued air quality alerts. Periods of smoke will persist through at least June 2, the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities, Minnesota said. An air quality alert was issued for the entire state of Minnesota through June 2, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said. People in sensitive groups such as those with lung disease or asthma, children and the elderly were cautioned that they could experience adverse health effects from the smoke. Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources on May 30 issued an air quality advisory that expired after 24 hours on May 31, but warned that smoke impacts could persist beyond then and extend the advisory in some areas. How to stay safe from wildfire smoke If air quality worsens in your area due to wildfire smoke, it's a good idea to limit time outdoors, experts say. The small particles in wildfire smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat and can affect the heart and lungs, making it harder to breathe. It can also cause headaches and bronchitis. Avoid physical exertion, including indoors, if air quality becomes unhealthy. While inside, keep windows and doors shut. Leave off any air conditioning or fan systems that pull air from outside, and use air filters or air purifiers. If you can't buy a commercial portable air filter, you can create your own. One example is the Corsi-Rosenthal box made from simple materials of an air filter, box fan and duct tape. If you must go outside, you should wear a high-quality, well-fitting N95 or P100 respirator mask to protect yourself. Keep your trips outside short. You should also watch out for your pets when air quality is bad because they can't wear a respirator mask to protect themselves, but still may need to go outside. Keep their bathroom trips outside short, and watch out for signs of distress such as red or watery eyes and nose, coughing or gagging and increased respiratory rate. You can monitor air quality in your area at Contributing: Taylor Ardrey and Michael Loria, USA TODAY
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Canada wildfires create heavy smoke that's expected to reach the US: See photos
The heavy smoke from the active wildfires in Canada is expected to hit parts of the United States. Rising heat, winds, and dry air sparked blazes in the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to the country's Department of Natural Resources. Residents in the United States are expected to face poor air quality from the fires as soon as May 30. The fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres in both provinces and resulted in the evacuation of at least 17,000 people, in what officials are calling "a very serious situation." Smoke from the blazes is expected to fall heavily over Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, and cut across the country to reach the Carolinas by May 31, according to FireSmoke Canada, a team of forecasters at the University of British Columbia. Natural Diasters: Photos show Swiss village buried in debris after glacier collapse Authorities in Minnesota, which began to feel the impact of the blazes on May 29, warned of unhealthy levels of exposure to fine particles from the wildfires. Symptoms include everything from shortness of breath to heart attack and stroke. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canada wildfires 2025: See photos of heavy smoke
USA Today
3 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Canada wildfires create heavy smoke that's expected to reach the US: See photos
Canada wildfires create heavy smoke that's expected to reach the US: See photos The heavy smoke from the active wildfires in Canada is expected to hit parts of the United States. Rising heat, winds, and dry air sparked blazes in the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to the country's Department of Natural Resources. Residents in the United States are expected to face poor air quality from the fires as soon as May 30. The fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres in both provinces and resulted in the evacuation of at least 17,000 people, in what officials are calling "a very serious situation." Smoke from the blazes is expected to fall heavily over Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, and cut across the country to reach the Carolinas by May 31, according to FireSmoke Canada, a team of forecasters at the University of British Columbia. Natural Diasters: Photos show Swiss village buried in debris after glacier collapse Photos show the Canadian wildfires, forcing mass evacuations Authorities raise the alarm about air quality Authorities in Minnesota, which began to feel the impact of the blazes on May 29, warned of unhealthy levels of exposure to fine particles from the wildfires. Symptoms include everything from shortness of breath to heart attack and stroke. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
