Canadian wildfire smoke is prompting air quality alerts across Minnesota and Ontario.
Why it matters: The smoke is affecting air quality across parts of the Midwest and southern Canada. That can disrupt outdoor work, travel and school activities, and raise health risks for children, older adults and people with heart or lung disease.
- Minnesota issued an air quality alert for July 15-17, warning parts of the state could reach the hazardous maroon AQI category.
- Environment Canada said smoke from forest fires in northwestern Ontario was affecting air quality across much of southern Ontario.
- AP reported the smoke plume was trapped and pushed south by a lingering high-pressure system and northwest winds.
- BBC reported that more than 800 fires were burning in Canada.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting air quality across parts of the U.S. Midwest and southern Canada, with alerts in place for Minnesota and Ontario. The AP said the smoke was visible in cities including Detroit and Toronto and stretched from the Great Lakes into parts of the East Coast.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert for July 15-17, warning that central, east central, north central and northeast Minnesota could reach the hazardous maroon AQI category. The agency urged residents to stay indoors and limit strenuous outdoor activity during the alert period.
In Ontario, Environment Canada warned that smoke from forest fires in northwestern Ontario was causing poor air quality across much of southern Ontario. The alert aligned with active fire monitoring from the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, which showed ongoing wildland fire activity on July 16.
BBC News reported that more than 800 fires were burning in Canada. The smoke is moving across the border into regions where air-quality alerts are affecting outdoor work, travel and public activities.
By the numbers
- July 15-17 - Minnesota air quality alert period
- More than 800 - fires reported burning in Canada by BBC News
Yes, but: The fire count cited in reporting is a snapshot and can change quickly as conditions and official tallies update.
What's next: Minnesota's air quality alert runs through July 17.