Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Engulfs a Third of the U.S., Worsens Air Quality

Thick smoke from over 200 active wildfires in Canada has blanketed nearly one-third of the United States, causing serious air quality concerns in parts of New York, New England, and the Midwest.

The smoke—drifting from provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta—has led to “very unhealthy” air quality readings in towns like Williamstown, Massachusetts (score of 228), and spiked pollution in major cities like Minneapolis, which briefly ranked as one of the world’s worst for air quality.

According to experts, the fine particles in the smoke—tiny enough to enter the bloodstream—can harm people of all ages. The National Weather Service said much of the smoke remains in the upper atmosphere, but areas where it descends closer to ground level are facing significant health risks.

Over 2 million hectares have already burned in Canada, and with over half the fires still out of control, forecasters warn that smoky skies and air pollution may continue to affect the U.S. for days to come.