Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota triggers air quality alerts across northern US

Published Jul 15, 06:56 PM UTC

Raging wildfires in Canada and Minnesota have sent thick smoke and smog into the northern United States, triggering air quality alerts for millions of people across Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The National Weather Service warns that major cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Boston, could be impacted by Thursday. Roughly 850 wildfires are burning in Canada, many in Ontario, with over a dozen in northern Minnesota. A low pressure system is pushing smoke southward, causing orange skies and hazardous air. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recorded a new state record for wildfire smoke concentration. Meteorologists advise using N95 masks, recalling similar events in 2023. The largest out-of-control fire spans 130,000 acres in western Ontario. Climate change is cited as increasing the likelihood of extreme fire weather in Canada.