Wildfires Blanket Midwest and Northeast with Hazardous Smoke

Wildfires raging in Canada and Minnesota are causing heavy smoke that is expected to blanket large areas of the Midwest and Northeast United States this week. This will expose millions of people to dangerous levels of air pollution, raising serious health concerns.

Minnesota officials have issued an air quality alert that will last from Tuesday through Friday, affecting regions such as the Twin Cities metro area, Alexandria, and Two Harbors. The state’s northeastern corner is anticipated to experience very heavy smoke as wildfires continue to spread. In places like Two Harbors, the Grand Portage Tribal Nation, and other areas in northeast Minnesota, air quality levels are expected to reach hazardous levels, making it unsafe for all residents.

Dan Westervelt, an associate professor at Columbia University’s Climate School, explained that severe drought conditions combined with extreme heat in both Canada and the U.S. have created “a perfect storm for really dry conditions to provide a lot of fuel for these wildfires to burn.” According to research, warming temperatures caused by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires.

Tyler Hasenstein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota, advised people to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid the extreme heat, especially as smoke moves in. He warned that the combination of heat and smoke is not good for public health.

Officials in Michigan and Wisconsin have also issued warnings about potential air quality issues that could last for several days. High levels of fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke may pose health risks for sensitive groups, including children and individuals with heart or lung conditions.

In parts of Maine, residents have reported a yellowish and brownish hue in the sky. The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, noted on social media that there is a significant amount of smoke upstream and that hazy skies are expected over the next day before a cold front clears the area.

By Wednesday afternoon, intense smoke is expected to spread into the East Coast and Midwest, including areas along the New England coast, northern Pennsylvania, Detroit, and Milwaukee, according to Hasenstein.

Multiple counties in western and central New York were under an air quality advisory on Wednesday until midnight. The most intense smoke could reach as far south as Washington, D.C., by midday on Thursday, he added.

Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, or fatigue. It can also worsen heart and lung diseases and other chronic health conditions. Experts recommend reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing a N95 mask if going outside is necessary, and keeping indoor air cleaner by closing windows and using air purifiers or air conditioners. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke is one of the leading causes of premature death.