Canadian wildfire smoke lingers across Plains, East with millions experiencing air quality issues

Air quality alerts issued for millions across Midwest as Canadian wildfires burn

Air quality alerts are up for millions from Minnesota, Wisconsin and even into the Northeast including New York City. These include over 70 million Americans.

MINNEAPOLIS – Smoke originating from wildfires raging across several Canadian provinces will slowly move south and east over the next few days, the FOX Forecast Center said. 

Time-lapse shows Canadian wildfire smoke, haze over Chicago

Time-lapse shows Canadian wildfire smoke and haze over Chicago on Wednesday, June 4.

Air quality alerts are up for millions in Minnesota and Wisconsin and even into the Northeast, including New York City. These include nearly 60 million Americans.

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The highest concentration of smoke will remain closer to the source in southern Canada, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin, the FOX Forecast Center said. A large plume of smoke will continue to move east on Thursday, bringing air quality levels down. 

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Smoky sunrise on June 11 from Blackburg, Virginia. 

(@NWSBlackburg/X)

Smoke will continue to funnel down ahead of and behind any cold front that moves through the region. Mid-level winds will transport smoke aloft across most of the East. 

While locations in the East will not experience the level of health hazards that the Upper Midwest will, some very sensitive health groups could be affected. Locations in the East will also experience hazy skies and more vibrant sunrises and sunsets. Some locations in the East have already posted air quality alerts.