Wildfires in Canada have caused poor air quality conditions in the US, with smoke moving south and causing hazy skies, low visibility, and poor air quality in the Northeast, Midwest, and even as far south as the Carolinas. Air quality alerts have been issued in 17 states and cities including Baltimore, Boston, Minneapolis, Raleigh, and St. Louis. The smoke has originated from wildfires in Quebec, where more than 160 forest fires are currently active, and the intensity of the fires has exceeded the capacity of water bombers. At-risk populations, such as young children, the elderly, or those with lung and heart disease, should avoid the outdoors.
As stated by ABC News, the ongoing wildfires in Canada are causing poor air quality conditions in the United States. Smoke from the fires is making its way south, resulting in hazy skies, low visibility, and poor air quality in most of the Northeast and Midwest regions, as well as the Carolinas.
Air quality alerts have been issued in 17 states, including major cities such as Baltimore, Boston, Minneapolis, Raleigh, and St. Louis. Smoke plumes are now extending along the East Coast, with smoky skies lingering into the Ohio Valley. Air quality is currently deemed “unhealthy” for millions of residents, and all individuals, not just sensitive groups, should limit their time outdoors.
Large cities with the lowest air quality include New York City, Albany, and Cincinnati, As stated by a map by AirNow, a website that publishes air quality data. At-risk populations, such as young children, the elderly, or those with lung and heart disease, should especially avoid the outdoors, As stated by the advisories.
The smoke originated from wildfires in Quebec, where more than 160 forest fires are currently active. Some of the fires in the region were ignited by lightning strikes, As stated by NASA. Unusually dry and warm weather has fueled the fires, and the intensity of the fires has exceeded the capacity of water bombers, Quebec’s wildfire prevention agency announced on Monday.
François Legault, a member of the Canadian parliament serving Quebec, told reporters during a news conference on Monday that firefighters are currently unable to get the wildfires under control. Firefighters in other provinces are unable to assist because they are battling their own wildfires.
The situation is expected to worsen, as another large and dense plume of smoke will be moving down across parts of the Northeast on Wednesday, delivering a one-two punch for some cities. That batch of very dense smoke will push down across the Northeast throughout the day on Wednesday, giving some relief to New England and the Midwest.
The bulk of the smoke impacting the Northeast today is coming straight down from Quebec. Air quality alerts are in effect from Minnesota to Massachusetts this afternoon, extending down to North Carolina as well cities such as New York City.
To bring everything full circle, the ongoing wildfires in Canada are causing poor air quality conditions in the United States, affecting millions of residents across 17 states and major cities. At-risk populations should avoid the outdoors, and all individuals should limit their time outside. The situation is expected to worsen, with another plume of dense smoke moving down across parts of the Northeast on Wednesday.
