The Twin Cities have been hit by Canadian wildfires, which have brought an air quality alert for the second time in a month. These Canadian wildfire smokes have brought the worst air quality to the Twin Cities since records began in 1980, MPR New reports.
Meteorological experts told CNN “what’s happening in Canada this year could be a sign of what’s to come in the United States. Parts of the US that have been engulfed in wildfire smoke already, this summer may also see extreme fire conditions this year — even areas beyond the typically fire-prone Western states.”
According to CNN, air quality alters have also been issued in 13 other states “Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Delaware and Maryland as well are parts of Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia”.
As of Wednesday June 28, More than 120 million Americans are under air quality alerts due to wildfire smoke, CNN reports.
Andrew Sullivan, principal research officer with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and editor of the report, told CNN:
“Where wildfires have historically occurred, they may increase; however, where wildfires have not historically occurred, they may become more common
A 2022 UN report suggests we must “learn to live with fire” and it predicts the extreme wildfire events will increase to 14% by 2030, and climb to 30% by 2050.
The following is the summary by CNN updates, as of Wednesday midday:
- More than 80 million Americans are under air quality alerts Wednesday. All of Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Delaware and Maryland are under alerts, alongside parts of Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina, the National Weather Service said.
- Some residents are being advised to stay indoors with their air conditioning running. If residents must go outside in high-smoke areas, they’re advised to wear N95 masks.
- The air quality readings in Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Davenport, Iowa, were all in the very unhealthy range Wednesday morning, according to AirNow.gov.
- New York City police and firefighters will distribute masks as a precaution, Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday.
- Weather forecast models designed to project smoke plumes show some increases in smoke concentration over New York on Thursday, but the highest levels are expected stay in western New York state, not the New York City area.
- Impacts of the smoke: Wildfire smoke carries particulate matter, or PM2.5 – a tiny but dangerous pollutant that, when inhaled, can travel deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The particulate matter has been linked to a number of health problems including asthma, heart disease and other respiratory illnesses. Here are some tips to minimize health risks.
In the Twin Cities, the air quality alert is expected to last until midnight Thursday, June 29.