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Canadian wildfire triggers air quality alerts in US but this state issues dire warning for residents. Check details
Thousands of residents in three provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active Sunday and diminished air quality in parts of Canada and the US. With more than a hundred wildfires burning in Canada, the smoke is bringing potentially dangerous air quality conditions to parts of the northern United States.
Air quality alert in US
Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada has spread into the United States, impacting air quality as far south as Florida. Forecasters report that conditions in parts of Minnesota reached "very unhealthy" levels on June 3. The smoke is expected to continue drifting across the country, with much of the East Coast likely to experience moderate air quality by the end of the day, according to reports USA Today.
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Minnesota remains under a statewide air quality alert through midweek, with some areas experiencing air conditions ranging from unhealthy to very unhealthy due to smoke particulates. A visible gray haze was also reported in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 2, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Canadian wildfire smoke causing poor air quality
Smoke from
Canadian wildfires
will thicken over the Pittsburgh area today, leading to poor air quality across the region. According to CBS News, Friday has a very low chance of being designated a First Alert Weather Day. Next Monday has a slightly higher—but still low—chance of meeting that threshold.
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Air quality will be at its worst in the Mon Valley today, primarily due to local industrial pollution rather than wildfire smoke. Expect increased activity on the 'Pittsburgh Smell' app. In addition to the wildfire smoke, ozone levels will spike this afternoon due to abundant sunshine. Ozone (O₃) forms when sunlight triggers a chemical reaction in the atmosphere, typically on clear, sunny days.
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There are over 200 wildfires burning in Canada as of June 3, with over 100 classified as "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The fires have forced thousands to evacuate. On June 2, the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, announced that 150 federal firefighting personnel from the United States are headed across the border to help fight fires in the provinces of Alberta and Manitoba.
On Tuesday, smoke is expected to move into eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, possibly affecting areas like Minneapolis and Omaha, Nebraska. However, an approaching cold front with thunderstorms and strong winds may disperse the smoke, making its path harder to predict.
Last week, the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba declared states of emergency due to the ongoing wildfires, with approximately 17,000 residents already evacuated, according to The Associated Press.
Dry conditions and a lack of significant rainfall are continuing to fuel the fires, complicating firefighting efforts, Saskatchewan Public Safety reported on Sunday. In response, additional aircraft and firefighting personnel from other Canadian provinces and U.S. states — including Arizona, Oregon, and Alaska — are being deployed to assist, said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
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Minnesota issues first ever 'Maroon' air quality alert
On June 2, 2025, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued its first-ever "Maroon Alert" for air quality, indicating hazardous conditions due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. This alert, effective through June 4, covers northwest Minnesota, including areas like Red Lake, Roseau, and East Grand Forks. The Maroon level signifies that the air is hazardous for everyone, with potential health effects such as irritated eyes, coughing, and serious heart or lung issues. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities and keep indoor air as clean as possible, according to Fox News.
Additionally, a "Purple Alert," denoting very unhealthy air quality, was issued for regions including International Falls, Bemidji, and Brainerd. The rest of the state faces red and orange alerts, indicating unhealthy conditions for all and for sensitive groups, respectively. These unprecedented alerts result from extensive wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada, affecting air quality across Minnesota.
