Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Set to Blanket U.S. Midwest, Triggering Air Quality Alerts Across Multiple States
Wildfires raging across Saskatchewan and Manitoba have already forced over 17,000 Canadians to flee their homes—and now, the smoke is heading south.
Fueled by scorching temperatures, steady winds, and low humidity, the fires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres and created a plume of smoke that’s drifting into the United States, raising air quality concerns across the Midwest and beyond.
States like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota have already issued air quality alerts. Chicago may also see hazy skies and reduced air quality in the coming days, according to The Weather Channel.
The impact is expected to expand. The Washington Post reports that Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio could all experience effects from the smoke starting Friday, May 30. While the heaviest concentration will remain over the Midwest and Northern Plains through the weekend, lighter smoke may reach parts of the South and East by Sunday, June 1.
Relief is expected early next week, as shifting winds from the southern U.S. are likely to push the smoke back north by Monday, June 2.
Canada’s Department of Natural Resources has described the situation as a dangerous mix of extreme weather conditions. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe warned, “I do fear things are going to deteriorate with the weather we have ahead of us in the days ahead.”
The crisis has prompted the Canadian military to assist with evacuations. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called it the largest evacuation effort “in most people’s living memory.”
This unfolding emergency comes just two years after smoke from Canada’s 2023 wildfires turned U.S. skies orange and pushed New York City to the top of the world’s pollution charts on June 6 of that year.
