• Canadian wildfires have led to hazardous air quality in the US Midwest and Northeast.
• Minneapolis recorded the second worst air quality globally, prompting health alerts.
• Air quality alerts are in effect across several states, warning residents to limit outdoor activities.

Smoke from nearly 4,000 wildfires in Canada has triggered air quality alerts across multiple states in the US Midwest and Northeast, including Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and parts of Illinois and Indiana. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that this persistent smoke is leading to serious health advisories for residents exposed to the deteriorating air quality, especially vulnerable groups like children, seniors, and those with heart or lung conditions, according to Al Jazeera, India Times, and NPR.

On Friday, Minneapolis recorded the second worst air quality in the world, with an AQI of 159, classified as unhealthy for all individuals. Residents reported having difficulty breathing and experiencing eye irritation due to the smoke. In some areas of the Midwest, air quality alerts extended through Monday, including in cities like Detroit, which ranked third in the world for poor air quality on Monday according to India Times, CBS News, and The Hill.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported over 743 active wildfires on Monday, with 298 of those deemed out of control. The environmental phenomenon underscores how events in one country can significantly impact the health and safety of neighboring populations. Experts have indicated these conditions may linger, especially as air quality continues to fluctuate across the Midwest and Northeast regions, leading many states to issue warnings for residents to limit outdoor activities, according to Al Jazeera, India Times, and NPR.

Authorities have recommended safety measures such as limiting outdoor activities and keeping windows and doors closed to prevent smoke infiltration. Air quality updates reveal that significant portions of the Midwest and Northeast continue to be affected, emphasizing the need for residents to remain vigilant about their health, as noted by CBS News and The Hill.