Wildfires Threaten Air Quality: Smoke Envelops Midwest & Northeast

NEW YORK — Vast clouds of heavy smoke, originating from a series of extensive wildfires in both Canada and Minnesota, are predicted to blanket large regions of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week. This atmospheric disturbance is expected to subject millions to harmful levels of air pollution.

Minnesota authorities have announced an air quality alert effective from Tuesday through Friday. This warning covers key areas including the Twin Cities metropolitan region, Alexandria, and Two Harbors. The state’s northeastern region, grappling with widespread wildfires, is anticipated to experience intense smoke. Alarmingly, air quality in places like Two Harbors and the Tribal Nation of Grand Portage is projected to reach hazardous levels, posing risks to all residents.

Dan Westervelt, an associate professor at Columbia University’s Climate School, explained that a combination of severe drought conditions and high temperatures in both Canada and the U.S. has created an ideal setting for these massive wildfires. He noted, “a perfect storm for really dry conditions to provide a lot of fuel for these wildfires to burn.” Studies have shown that rising temperatures linked to the burning of coal, oil, and gas are resulting in fires that are both more frequent and intense.

Tyler Hasenstein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota, emphasized the importance of staying indoors as much as possible. He advised people to minimize exposure to the extreme heat and smoke as the latter sweeps through the area.

“Those two things coinciding with each other is not good from a health perspective,” he commented, highlighting the compounded health risks brought on by the soaring temperatures and dense smoke.

Officials in Michigan and Wisconsin warned residents Tuesday about air quality issues that could last for days. High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children and people with heart or lung conditions.

In parts of Maine, residents were reporting a yellowish and brownish color in the sky. “There is plenty of smoke upstream, so expect periods of hazy skies over the next day before the cold front pushes through,” the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, said on social media Tuesday.

By Wednesday afternoon, intense smoke will spread into the East Coast and Midwest, including parts of the New England coast, northern Pennsylvania, Detroit and Milwaukee, Hasenstein said.

Multiple counties in western and central New York were under an air quality advisory Wednesday until midnight. The most intense smoke could spread as far south as Washington, D.C., by midday Thursday, Hasenstein said.

Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues. Experts suggest reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing a N95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner. Long term, exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke is one of the leading causes of premature death.