Wildfires burning across Canada have caused widespread air quality alerts throughout the United States, with smoke blanketing cities from the Midwest to the East Coast. More than 800 wildfires are currently active in Canada, the vast majority burning out of control, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
In the U.S., air quality in parts of Michigan, Minnesota, and Minneapolis has been deemed "hazardous." Detroit, Minneapolis, and Toronto have registered some of the worst air quality globally, according to Swiss air quality tracker IQAir. Residents in affected areas are advised to limit outdoor activity due to the poor air conditions.
The smoke plumes, originating primarily from fires in western Ontario, have created hazy skies and caused redder sunrises and sunsets as far east as New York. While thunderstorms are expected in Ontario in the coming days, the rainfall may not be sufficient to significantly impact the fires.
Northwesterly winds are expected to continue pushing smoke into northern U.S. states through the remainder of the week and into the weekend. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on outdoor events, including the World Cup final scheduled for Sunday in New Jersey. A shift in wind direction by Monday is anticipated to steer the smoke plume across Quebec, potentially leading to an improvement in air quality further south in the U.S.