If you’re in the northern U.S. right now and it smells like a bonfire, even inside your home or office, you’re not alone. You’re also probably wondering “how is this safe?”
Let’s look into it.
As wildfires burn in the western portion of the country, other wildfires beyond the northern border in Canada are sending a blanket of smoke over many U.S. cities, including New York, N.Y.; Chicago, Ill.; Detroit, Mich.; and Minneapolis, Minn.
In fact, Minneapolis, Detroit and Chicago topped IQAir’s list of most polluted cities as of Thursday afternoon. New York topped the list on Wednesday but had dropped down to number 20 Thursday as the Midwest got hit with the wave of smoky, hazy air from Canada.
AirNow.gov data Audacy reviewed Thursday showed hazardous and unhealthy air quality pockets throughout Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and Pennsylvania in the Great Lakes region. In Minneapolis, WCCO News Talk reported that bad air is expected through Friday. Those concerned about air quality in their area can check that website.
Dr. Sarah Lacher, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth warned that, while staying inside is a one way to avoid too much exposure to the dangerous air, that bad air can make its way inside too. Lacher told the station that she recommends using an air purifier and even getting a personal Air Quality Index (AQI) monitor.
According to the National Weather Service, an air quality alert was in effect from the upper Midwest through the Great Lakes into the Northeast on Thursday. While there will be an influx of cooler air amid hot and humid conditions, this air is “unfortunately” expected to bring smoke from Canadian wildfires into the northeastern quarter of the country.
On Thursday, 49 new fires were reported by the government of Canada, bringing the grand total to 860 covering more than 2.4 million hectares. Of those, 107 were out of control.
