As North Americans brace for the annual fire season, the smoke billowing from massive wildfires in Canada’s northern boreal forests is already casting a shadow over the U.S. Midwest.
Paige Fischer, a professor of environmental sustainability at the University of Michigan, embarked on a family vacation to Traverse City along Lake Michigan but quickly realized the reality of the situation.
“Even though I study this, I haven’t completely caught up in terms of planning ahead to make sure there’s good filtration systems where I’m staying,” she mentioned while acknowledging that she had masks at the ready.
The situation is dire, with the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center reporting 201 active fires across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, half of which are classified as “out of control.”
As these wildfires rage, communities across the Midwest U.S., particularly in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, are grappling with thick smoke.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow page indicates air quality warnings ranging from moderate to unhealthy, impacting a substantial area that includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana.
Fischer predicts that these conditions may become commonplace in the future.
She observes that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
“Wildfires are happening more frequently. They’re getting bigger. They’re emitting more smoke,” she stated.
Climate projections suggest an escalation of such severe summer fires across North America and beyond.
Lori Daniels, a forest ecologist and professor at the University of British Columbia, concurs, noting that smoke and wildfire do not recognize borders.
“The wind patterns have taken that smoke kind of from the northwest across a big diagonal. And that’s why you’re getting so much smoke down in the United States,” said Daniels.
This year, the situation mirrors that of 2023 when smoke from similar regions overwhelmed the U.S. Midwest for days.
Daniels emphasized, “We are again having a remarkable start to fire season here in Canada.”
With significant concerns for both ecosystems and communities, she highlights that the struggle against these megafires is not limited to Canada and the U.S. but is a global issue.
John Smol, a biology professor at Queen’s University in Ontario, provided insight into the causes behind forest fires.
Contrary to popular belief that carelessness such as a discarded cigarette ignites these flames, Smol explains that most forest fires result from lightning strikes.
“To have a big forest fire … you need fuel, you need a spark, and you need fuel that’ll burn. If it’s hot, dry, and you didn’t have summer rains — and you get a lightning strike — that’s it,” he explained.
The health implications of wildfire smoke are significant, even for individuals who are not displaced from their homes.
According to the EPA, high concentrations of wildfire smoke can lead to persistent coughing, wheezing, and respiratory difficulties, potentially causing lung function reductions and pulmonary inflammation even in healthy individuals.
Fischer stressed the importance of public awareness, noting that many may be oblivious to the origins of the smoke affecting their communities.
“They have a hard time conceiving of wildfire smoke from Canada coming here. They might not take measures to protect their health,” she pointed out.
Daniels advised against assigning blame to Canada regarding the wildfire situation, reminding people that severe air quality in places such as Vancouver has previously stemmed from California wildfires.
Offering words of sympathy, she concluded, “We’re sorry about the smoke.”
As the wildfire situation continues to evolve, the immediate impact on air quality signifies a growing challenge that communities across North America must face together.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/06/nx-s1-5424434/wildfires-canada-u-s-climate-change
