Wildfires in Canada: A Breath of Smoke in the Midwest

Wildfires are raging across Canada, with over 90 blazes burning out of control. These fires have forced thousands of people to leave their homes in the province of Manitoba. The smoke from these fires has traveled far, reaching the Midwest and Great Plains in the United States. This smoke has triggered air quality alerts in several states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The smoke from these wildfires can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles. This means that people far away from the actual fires can still be affected by the smoke. The smoke can cause health problems, especially for people who have respiratory or heart conditions. Even healthy people can experience symptoms like itchy eyes, runny noses, coughing, or shortness of breath. Minnesota has issued an air quality alert for the entire state until Monday evening. The northern counties of the state are expected to see air quality that is considered unhealthy. Wisconsin also issued an air quality advisory, which expired the next day. However, the state's Department of Natural Resources said that another advisory could be warranted by Sunday afternoon. North Dakota and South Dakota have also issued air quality alerts. The smoke from the wildfires can cause the sky to look hazy and can give the air a campfire smell. It can also cause colorful sunrises and sunsets. The National Weather Service has advised people in the affected areas to limit their time outdoors, especially if they are part of a sensitive group. This includes pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and those with respiratory or heart problems. Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. This means that more people are at risk of being affected by wildfire smoke. In 2023, smoke from Canadian wildfires turned skies orange in the Northeastern U. S. and led to unhealthy air quality levels in several major cities. A study found that people who inhaled the smoke were likely exposed to extremely large concentrations of fine particulate matter. This can increase the risk of health problems like cardiac arrest, asthma attacks, or stroke. As the smoke from Canada billowed into the Midwest over the weekend, severe storms swept through the South and East Coast and millions of people in the West were under heat alerts, with temperatures climbing past 100 degrees. This shows that climate change is causing more extreme weather events, which can have serious impacts on people's health and safety. It is important for people to be aware of the risks of wildfire smoke and to take steps to protect themselves. This includes staying indoors, closing windows, running indoor air filters, and wearing an N95 mask outside.