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Smoke from Canadian wildfires chokes US Midwest, air turns ‘very unhealthy'

Smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to blanket parts of the US Midwest on Tuesday, with air quality in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan reaching 'very unhealthy' levels. read more Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, on Friday, May 30, 2025. AP Photo Smoke from wildfires in Canada caused another day of poor air quality across parts of the US Midwest on Tuesday, especially in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, where conditions were rated 'very unhealthy.' Over 27,000 people in Canada have been forced to evacuate, and the smoke has even reached Europe. In the Minneapolis-St Paul area, the smell of smoke lingered despite some rain. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued a warning for nearly the whole state, saying air quality would slowly improve by Wednesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The smoke also affected parts of Iowa, where officials advised people—especially those with heart or lung conditions—to avoid intense outdoor activity. The smoky air reached as far as Georgia in the southeast, the Dakotas in the west, and Michigan in the east. The US Air Quality Index (AQI) showed unhealthy to very unhealthy levels in several areas, especially in eastern Minnesota and the Twin Cities. Some places briefly reached the 'hazardous' maroon category, but conditions started to improve by midday. Hospitals in Minneapolis reported a slight rise in patients with breathing problems linked to the smoke. Dr. Rachel Strykowski, a lung specialist, said wildfire smoke makes conditions like asthma and COPD worse. She advised people to stay indoors and wear N95 masks if going outside, as regular cloth masks don't provide enough protection. This is a developing story.