Smoke from wildfires in Canada is significantly impacting air quality in various regions across the Midwest and Great Plains, leading to air quality alerts in several states.
As of now, more than 90 uncontrolled wildfires are blazing across Canada, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
The situation is particularly severe in Manitoba, where approximately 17,000 residents have been forced to evacuate due to the advancing flames.
In recent days, winds high in the atmosphere have carried the smoke from these fires southward into the Upper Midwest, and by the weekend, it had reached as far as the Georgia-Florida border.
Residents in affected areas may notice a pungent campfire smell filling the air, hazy skies, and vibrant sunrises and sunsets, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Minnesota has issued a statewide air quality alert that will remain in effect until Monday evening.
The air quality in northern counties of Minnesota is expected to be classified as unhealthy according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which assesses daily air pollution levels.
Even individuals not part of sensitive groups may experience health issues such as itchy eyes, runny noses, coughing, or shortness of breath under these conditions.
In Wisconsin, an air quality advisory was issued on Friday but expired Saturday, with officials indicating another advisory could be necessary on Sunday afternoon.
It is predicted that northwestern counties in the state may experience heavy smoke on Sunday evening, which could disperse across Wisconsin by Monday.
Many areas in Wisconsin might see air quality levels deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups, particularly in the northwest region where air quality could worsen.
North Dakota is facing particularly severe conditions, with parts of the state currently meeting AQI’s “very unhealthy” threshold.
State authorities have strongly advised residents, especially those with respiratory issues, to minimize outdoor activities.
To reduce exposure to harmful smoke particles, residents are encouraged to close windows, use indoor air filters, and wear N95 masks when outside.
South Dakota has also issued an air quality alert for specific areas that will remain until conditions improve or on Sunday.
Wildfire smoke is known to travel vast distances, posing health risks to individuals located far from the source of the fires.
The smoke from Canadian wildfires earlier this year caused skies to turn orange in the Northeastern U.S., wreaking havoc on air quality levels in major cities such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
A study conducted last year indicated that residents inhaling wildfire smoke in New York and New Jersey were subjected to dangerously high levels of fine particulate matter, which can severely damage respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Short-term exposure to these hazardous particles can elevate the risk of severe health incidents like cardiac arrest and asthma attacks, while long-term exposure significantly increases the likelihood of chronic conditions, including heart disease and lung cancer.
The persistence of wildfires is being linked to climate change, which is making such extreme weather events, including hurricanes and heat waves, increasingly common.
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