Canadian forest fires cast smoky pall over midwest cities
Smoke from forest fires in Canada is threatening cities in the U.S. Air quality warnings have already been issued in Minnesota and Michigan.
Key information
- Smoke from Canadian forest fires is moving towards the U.S.
- Air quality warnings have been issued in Minnesota and Michigan.
- The smoke may reach Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit.
Uncontrolled forest fires in Canada are causing dangerous smoke to move towards the United States. Authorities in Minnesota and Michigan have decided to issue air quality warnings.
Authorities in Minnesota have already issued an air quality alert beginning Thursday for northeastern parts of the state, warning that fine particle levels are expected to reach "a level considered unhealthy for everyone." A similar alert is in effect in northern Michigan for Friday, reported CNN.
The wildfire in Canada has already burned over 258,999 hectares, which is 40 percent more than the ten-year average for this period. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate, and the smoke is beginning to reach major American cities.
This is not the first time Canada has faced wildfires. Last year's fire season was one of the worst in the last hundred years. Back then, dense and toxic smoke also reached many American cities.
Forecasts for the U.S
According to CNN, computer models indicate that smoke from the fires will reach the northern part of the Midwest U.S. and the Great Lakes region on Thursday and Friday. It may affect cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit, significantly reducing visibility and air quality.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), some of the smoke may persist throughout the weekend in parts of the Midwest. Forecasts show that high-level smoke will continue to move further south across the plains.
