Canadian wildfire smoke slowly invades US again, impacts air quality for nearly 50 million Americans

16 July 2023

Published by: https://www.foxweather.com

USA – As of Saturday afternoon, large swaths of North Dakota and South Dakota, along with parts of Montana and Minnesota, were reporting Unhealthy air quality levels.

Air Quality Alerts are up for the northern tier of the U.S. for nearly 50 million people this weekend as smoke from the Canadian wildfires returns through Monday evening.

As of Saturday afternoon, large swaths of North Dakota and South Dakota, along with parts of Montana and Minnesota, were reporting Unhealthy air quality levels. Additionally, air quality levels ranging from Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups were being reported across the Upper Plains.

Wildfire smoke forecast Sunday and Monday

On Sunday, the majority of the wildfire smoke will move into the Ohio Valley, according to the FOX Forecast Center. This will impact major cities, such as Indianapolis, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; and Cleveland, Ohio.

Monday will bring some slight relief for residents in the Midwest as upper-level winds will continue to drift the smoke east. However, it is unclear how concentrated the smoke will be by that point.

The FOX Forecast Center noted that there are no indications that plumes of smoke will let up anytime soon. The source of the smoke, Canadian wildfires, continue to burn out of control. This will be especially prevalent when storm systems move through, as northerly winds will help to transport the smoke south.

The status of wildfires burning in Canada

The number of forest fires continues to rise in Canada, climbing this week to more than 670 blazes – more than half of which are still out of control.

As a long and difficult summer lies ahead, Canadian fire officials said 23.9 million acres have already gone up in smoke across the country this year. That is equal to about the size of Indiana. The staggering number of acres burned is 11 times the average for the last decade.

Smoke from wildfires in June engulfed major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, which made for hazy skies and reduced visibilities. Air quality readings reached hazardous levels in Philadelphia, New York and other communities downwind of fires burning in Quebec.

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