800 Canadian wildfires burning as air quality alerts extend to US
3 hours ago
- #wildfires
- #air-quality
- #Canada-US
- More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, with over 850 active fires, most out of control.
- Air quality alerts extend into the U.S., with hazardous conditions in Michigan and Minnesota, and very unhealthy air in parts of New York.
- Smoke from Ontario wildfires is drifting over the Great Lakes and into the U.S., causing hazy skies and affecting cities like Detroit, Minneapolis, and Toronto.
- Northwesterly winds are expected to continue blowing smoke into northern U.S. states through the weekend, raising concerns for events like the World Cup final in New Jersey.
- Michigan Republican lawmakers sent an open letter to Canada's Prime Minister, expressing frustration over repeated wildfire management issues.
- Wildfires have forced evacuations in First Nations communities in northern Ontario, damaged homes, and led to emergency rescues, including for trapped rail workers.
- Thunderstorms in Ontario may not provide enough rain to significantly help, but a wind change by Monday could improve air quality in the southern U.S.