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Canadian Wildfire Raises Concern Over Air Quality In U.S. Midwest | AQI Turns 'Very Unhealthy'| N18G

Thick smoke from wildfires burning across western Canada spread into the U.S. Upper Midwest on June 3, significantly worsening air quality in Minneapolis. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 168, placing it among the worst in the world that day and matching Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The smoke plume originated from large fires in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba and contained fine particulate matter, which poses health risks, especially for individuals with heart or lung conditions. Health officials advised residents to limit outdoor activities to reduce exposure. Although conditions in Minneapolis are expected to gradually improve, lower levels of smoke are forecast to travel further east, reaching cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston in the coming days. This event highlights how wildfire smoke can impact air quality far beyond the immediate area of the fires, affecting large regions and posing health concerns across North America.

first published: Jun 4, 2025 11:01 am