Wildfire smoke blankets large U.S. regions as fires rage in Canada and Minnesota
Extensive smoke from more than 800 Canadian wildfires and fires in northern Minnesota has driven hazardous air quality across the Great Lakes, New England and major northeastern cities.
Heavy smoke from wildfires in Ontario and northern Minnesota has spread across the Great Lakes region into New England and as far south as Maryland, prompting hazardous to unhealthy air quality alerts in several states. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System reported over 800 active fires in Canada following extreme heat and dry conditions on July 13, while a heat dome pushed temperatures above 100°F in western Ontario and Minnesota.
"You have a firehose of smoke coming right now," atmospheric scientist Derek Mallia said, noting the unprecedented intensity of the fires. Air Quality Ontario classified conditions in parts of the province as "very high risk," and thousands have been evacuated. AirNow data shows hazardous or unhealthy air affecting Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and major cities such as Philadelphia, New York City and Baltimore.
Researchers linked the worsening smoke events to climate-driven trends. "The frequency and intensity of these wildfire smoke events are increasing," said Dan Westervelt of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Health experts warned of serious risks, with Dr. David Eisenman of UCLA citing studies that associate wildfire pollution with heart attacks, strokes, respiratory illness and other long-term health effects. He advised the public to monitor air quality reports, use air purifiers, create a cleaner-air room at home and limit outdoor activity, wearing N95 masks when exposure is unavoidable.