The Midwest of the United States is experiencing a haze of smoke from Canadian wildfires, severely impacting air quality across multiple states. Tuesday saw conditions in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan reach levels deemed “very unhealthy,” prompting health warnings and advisories.
With more than 27,000 Canadians displaced by the fires across three provinces, the smoke’s reach has extended across the Atlantic to Europe. In Minnesota, particularly around the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, the air remained thick with smoke despite rain, leading the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to issue warnings statewide until Wednesday.
“As the smoke continues to move across the state Tuesday, air quality will slowly improve from northwest to southeast for the remainder of the alert area,” the agency stated. “The smoke is expected to leave the state by Wednesday at noon.”
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has also issued alerts, predicting potential unhealthy air quality from southwest to northeast Iowa through Thursday morning. Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, are advised to limit outdoor activities.
U.S. Air Quality Impact
Across the Midwest, the smoke has spread as far as Michigan in the east, the Dakotas and Nebraska to the west, and Georgia to the southeast. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow map depicted extensive areas of unhealthy air quality, particularly intense in Minneapolis-St. Paul. The Air Quality Index (AQI) values reached 250, indicating very unhealthy conditions, although some improvement was noted by late morning.
The AQI assesses air quality based on pollutants like ground-level ozone and particulate matter, the latter being a major concern due to the wildfires. The scale ranges from green, signaling good air quality, to maroon, indicating hazardous conditions. While the northwest of Minnesota was expected to reach maroon levels, most areas remained moderate, with maroon spots primarily in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Healthcare and Public Response
Hospitals are observing an uptick in patients with respiratory issues. Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis reported an increase in visits related to aggravated respiratory conditions due to the smoke. Dr. Rachel Strykowski, a pulmonologist, mentioned that symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing are common.
Strykowski advised that staying indoors or using N95 masks can help mitigate exposure to the harmful particulates in the air, as cloth masks are insufficient.
Canadian Wildfire Crisis
The wildfires in Canada, particularly in Manitoba, have forced thousands to flee, with Winnipeg becoming a hub for evacuees. Over 17,000 residents of Manitoba, including those from Flin Flon, have been displaced. Saskatchewan has also seen significant evacuations, including 2,500 people from La Ronge.
Canadian officials are working together to address the wildfires, which have already claimed lives. Premier Scott Moe emphasized national support for the affected provinces. The fires have resulted in significant carbon emissions, with Copernicus estimating 56 megatonnes released.
Smoke Reaches Europe
The intensity of the wildfires has allowed smoke to travel across the Atlantic, reaching Europe. Copernicus reported that while the smoke causes hazy skies, it is unlikely to impact air quality at ground level. The extent of the fires is underscored by the high-altitude plumes reaching as far as Greece and the eastern Mediterranean.
Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at Copernicus, noted, “That’s really an indicator of how intense these fires are, that they can deliver smoke,” indicating the severity and far-reaching impact of the current wildfire season.
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