For weeks, the wildfires have contributed the hazy skies in the northern part of the U.S., including an ominous red haze over New York City. According to two different air quality measures, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin had particularly dangerous air Tuesday.
Waukesha, Wisc., was the only place in the U.S. with a “hazardous” air quality ranking Tuesday evening, per AirNow.gov. Detroit, Mich., had the worst ranked air quality in the world around 7 p.m. ET, per IQAir Index data. That index ranked Chicago, Ill., just behind Detroit.
As of Tuesday, there were 154 controlled, 74 held and 257 uncontrolled wildfires reported the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, and eight new fires were reported. An air quality index list provided by the Canadian government showed that Toronto had the highest risk in that country, though it was still at “moderate risk.”
Experts have predicted that wildfires in Canada could keep burning through August. This season has already been particularly active.
“As wildfire seasons become longer and more extreme, the Government of Canada is focused on keeping people safe while strengthening our long-term response,” said the Canadian Natural Resources department in a Memorandum of Understanding announcement between the U.S. and Canada.
IQAir said that 7 million people die every year as a result of exposure to fine particles in polluted air, citing World Health Organization data. In areas of high air pollution, AirNow.gov recommends limiting outdoor activity. In Waukesha Tuesday, it recommended avoiding time outside altogether.
“Harmful particle pollution is one of our nation’s most common air pollutants,” it said. More information about avoiding the negative health impact of air pollution is available here.
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