Canadian Wildfires Strike Again, Triggering Air Quality Alerts for Over 60 Million Americans

As smoke plumes from the unrelenting Canadian wildfires engulf the US once again, almost 60 million residents are now under air quality alerts.

The effect of these wildfires goes beyond Canada’s borders, impacting regions from the Great Lakes to Montana and Ohio. While it has lower visibility, the air quality is reaching unhealthy status.

From Indiana to Montana, residents will grapple with unhealthy air quality levels as this week starts. In addition, parts of the Ohio Valley and the Northern Plains reported air quality levels varying from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The Canadian wildfire smoke has not stopped, triggering alerts for 11 states across the northern Plains, Great Lakes, and the Midwest areas.

Visibility across the region is taking a dive this morning due to wildfire smoke from Canada drifting south under northwest flow. pic.twitter.com/TuJscFirPo

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 17, 2023

Moreover, major cities like Detroit, Chicago, St.Louis, and Cleveland were some of the regions expecting poor visibility and air quality. This affects almost 60 million people.

Environmental and Health Impact

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in several regions, including a large part of the northern Plains from Montana through Illinois, arrived at an “unhealthy” level (level 4 or 6) on Sunday. This hazardous state carries serious health risks, particularly for sensitive groups.

The smoke plumes from the Canadian wildfires contain bits of pollutants called PM 2.5. It can already penetrate the bloodstream and lungs, which can result in respiratory conditions, throat, and eye irritation.

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Some of these effects also pose severe long-term health problems. These include lung cancer, as stated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Canadian wildfire smoke blankets US, 60 million under air-quality alerts

Canada is experiencing its worst fire season on record. More than 24 m acres have burned so far this year, and the Canadian wildfire smoke continues to plague the US

Watch more: https://t.co/dm7SyC0z2e pic.twitter.com/Inx2Ogsiks

— WION (@WIONews) July 17, 2023

Dire Effects of Wildfires in Canada

The province of British Columbia in Canada continues to suffer the impact of these wildfires. A startling 400 fires have emerged in the last week, with almost half of them ignited by 51,000 lightning strikes from thunderstorms.

Moreover, the British Columbia Wildfire Service has reported that some of the thunderstorms were “dry,” giving average less relief in putting off the flames due to the province’s worst drought.

Meanwhile, one of the tragic effects led to heartbreaking news from Canada’s Northwest Territories. A second firefighter has lost his life fighting the wildfires.

Canada’s Northwest Territories expressed his sympathy. “We regret to share the tragic news that a firefighter from Fort Liard has passed away from an injury sustained while fighting a wildfire in the Fort Liard District Saturday afternoon.”

Only days before, the officers had confirmed the death of another firefighter battling a blaze near Revelstoke, a town in British Columbia. Furthermore, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his condolences.

He tweeted, “I’m incredibly saddened by the news from the Northwest Territories, that another firefighter has lost their life battling wildfires. To their family, their friends, and those they were heroically serving alongside: Canadians are keeping you in our thoughts. We’re here for you.”

While meteorologists discovered a decrease in atmospheric smoke by Monday, the US will still struggle with lingering unhealthy air levels for vulnerable groups, as confirmed by CNN. The Northeast will experience the effect early this week as the winds push the smoke eastwards.

The possibility of more smoke exposure stays as an ongoing concern as Canada struggles with its worst fire season in history. More than 24 million acres have already burned, which is a size almost the same as Indiana.

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