More than 800 wildfires burning in Canada have blanketed cities from Toronto to New York in smoke, prompting air quality alerts across more than 20 US states as millions face unhealthy conditions this week.
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Key facts
- More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, according to the BBC.
- Air quality alerts have been issued in more than 20 US states, from Minnesota to New York, the Guardian reports.
- Parts of Michigan, Minneapolis and Minnesota were deemed to have 'hazardous' air quality by authorities.
- More than 180 active wildfires are burning in northern Ontario, briefly making Toronto's air among the worst in the world on Wednesday.
- Multiple wildfires are also burning in Minnesota.
Smoke from more than 800 wildfires burning across Canada has spread south into the United States, prompting air quality alerts and warnings for millions of people, according to the BBC and the Guardian.
The smoke has affected cities ranging from Toronto to New York, as well as large parts of the US Midwest. According to the BBC, air quality in large parts of Michigan, Minneapolis and Minnesota was deemed ‘hazardous’ by authorities.
The Guardian reported that smoke from wildfires burning in south-central Canada and parts of Minnesota is spreading across the US, prompting air quality alerts in more than 20 states. Millions of Americans are expected to face unhealthy air conditions this week, with authorities urging people to stay indoors.
Much of the smoke originates from more than 180 active wildfires in northern Ontario. The Guardian noted that this smoke briefly made Toronto’s air quality among the worst in the world on Wednesday.
By Wednesday night, the smoke had spread across several US states, from Minnesota, where multiple wildfires are also burning, to New York, blanketing skies in haze and worsening air quality.
The scale of the fires and the spread of smoke across North America have raised air quality concerns in major population centres, with authorities monitoring conditions expected to persist through the week.
Why it matters
Poor air quality driven by wildfire smoke can pose serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups, prompting authorities to advise millions of people to stay indoors. The cross-border spread of smoke shows how wildfires in one country can affect the health and daily life of communities far away.
Frequently asked questions
Which US areas are affected by the Canadian wildfire smoke?
According to the Guardian, air quality alerts have been issued in more than 20 US states, from Minnesota to New York. The BBC reported that parts of Michigan, Minneapolis and Minnesota were deemed to have 'hazardous' air quality.
How many wildfires are burning?
The BBC reports that more than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, including more than 180 active fires in northern Ontario. Multiple wildfires are also burning in Minnesota.
What are authorities advising people to do?
According to the Guardian, authorities are urging people to stay indoors as millions of Americans are expected to face unhealthy air conditions this week.
Timeline
- Hundreds of Canada wildfires prompt US air quality alerts as smoke spreads south
BBC World: Smoke from more than 800 blazes has affected cities from Toronto to New York, as well as the US Midwest.
- Canada wildfires spread smoke across North America, sparking air quality alerts
BBC World: Smoke from more than 800 blazes has prompted air quality concerns in Toronto, New York and large parts of Michigan, Minneapolis and Minnesota.
- How bad are Canadian and US wildfires, and what is the air quality risk?
BBC Science: Wildfires in Ontario have blanketed US and Canadian cities with dangerous smoke.
- Air quality plummets in 20 states as smoke from Canadian wildfires spreads across the US
The Guardian World: Millions of Americans face air quality alerts from Minnesota to New York as authorities urge people to stay indoors Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Smoke from wildfires burning in south-central Canada and parts of Minnesota is spreading across the US, prompting
- Air quality plummets in 20 US states as smoke from Canadian wildfires spreads
The Guardian World: Millions of Americans face air quality alerts from Minnesota to New York as authorities urge people to stay indoors Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Smoke from wildfires burning in south-central Canada and parts of Minnesota is spreading across the US, prompting
- More than 800 Canadian wildfires burning as air quality alerts extend to US
BBC World: The air quality in large parts of Michigan, Minneapolis and Minnesota is deemed "hazardous" by authorities.