Wildfires in Canada and the U.S. Are Making Air Quality Worse for Millions
Hundreds of wildfires are still burning across Canada and parts of the U.S., sending thick smoke across both countries and lowering air quality. On Tuesday, cities from Minneapolis to New York City were covered in haze, and Boston’s Logan Airport had to briefly stop flights on Monday because of low visibility.
Detroit, New York City, and Chicago had some of the worst air quality in the world on Tuesday, according to IQAir, ranking fourth, tenth, and eleventh. Meanwhile, Montreal and Toronto saw their air improve and no longer ranked in the top 20 for bad air.
Around 81 million people in the U.S. are under air quality alerts, especially in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and others in the Northeast. The National Weather Service says the air should get better for most places by Wednesday.
A high-pressure weather system is sitting over the Midwest, trapping the smoke and making the air stay dirty for several days, according to Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Right now, there are 747 wildfires burning in Canada, and more than 500 are out of control. The worst-hit areas are Manitoba (165 fires), British Columbia (134), and the Northwest Territories (111). Experts say these fires are worse because of warmer-than-normal temperatures, drought, less snow, and dry soil — all caused by climate change.
In the western U.S., a massive wildfire called the Gifford Fire is burning in California’s Los Padres National Forest. It has destroyed over 72,000 acres and is only 7% contained. The fire, which started from smaller fires along State Route 166, is threatening homes in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Three people have been hurt so far.
Hot and dry weather is expected to continue this week, with temperatures reaching up to 100°F (38°C) by Thursday and Friday. Officials warn that fire conditions will get worse.
Red flag warnings for extreme fire danger are in place for parts of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. Smoke from wildfires is spreading across the West, making skies hazy from Los Angeles and San Diego to Las Vegas.
