Poor air quality remains concern for Upper Midwest to Northeast amid Canadian wildfires
Poor air quality from the Canadian wildfires remains a concern on Tuesday for much of the Upper Midwest and Northeast regions.
Millions of people in at least 10 states from Northern Minnesota to New Hampshire woke up to hazy skies as hundreds of wildfires in Canada pushed smoke across the border.
The National Weather Service for Detroit, Michigan, said an Air Quality Advisory is in effect until Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service for Twin Cities, Minnesota, said lingering wildfire smoke will move out of the area by early afternoon, making way for a “pleasant Summer day.”
The air quality index on Tuesday across the Midwest and the Northeast ranged from “moderate” to “unhealthy” for sensitive adults. Some areas in northern Wisconsin, eastern Pennsylvania, northern Vermont, and parts of Michigan had an “unhealthy” air quality index.
Wildfire smoke is a concern because it contains small particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, which can reach deep inside the lungs, exacerbating or increasing the risk of chronic lung diseases, asthma, and lung cancer.
748 active fires were burning in Canada as of Tuesday morning, including 199 classified as “out of control,” according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
