Current:Home > reviewsAir quality alerts issued for Canadian wildfire smoke in Great Lakes, Midwest, High Plains -Streamline Finance
Air quality alerts issued for Canadian wildfire smoke in Great Lakes, Midwest, High Plains
View
Date:2025-04-14 02:46:13
Air quality alerts were issued for much of Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana on Sunday because of lingering thick smoke from Canadian wildfires, the National Weather Service said.
The U.S. EPA's AirNow air quality page rated the air in Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and Des Moines as "unhealthy" as of early Sunday afternoon. In Omaha and Cincinnati, the air quality was rated as unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The smoke concentration is expected to wane by Monday across the Great Lakes, Midwest and northern High Plains, but there will still be enough smoke in the area for continued unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups, weather officials warned.
There were nearly 900 active wildfires in Canada on Saturday, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The fires are burning from coast to coast, according to a map updated daily by the center. To date, Canadian wildfires have burned around 10 million hectares this year, an area roughly the size of the state of Indiana
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource advised people to close all windows and doors during heavy smoke, especially overnight. Officials also recommended people limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Indianapolis Office of Sustainability also advised people in impacted areas to limit exposure when possible.
This is not the first time the region has dealt with smoke from the wildfires. In late June, Chicago experienced some of the worst air quality in the world amid heavy smoke.
Particulates from the smoke can irritate your eyes, nose and throat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older adults, babies, young children and people with heart or lung diseases, including asthma, are at a higher risk.
Two firefighters have died in Canada battling the wildfires in recent days. One died on Saturday, local media reported. Another firefighter died Thursday responding to one of the blazes near Revelstoke, British Columbia, a press release from the firefighter's union said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau memorialized that firefighter in a post on Twitter.
"The news from British Columbia – that one of the firefighters bravely battling wildfires has lost her life – is heartbreaking," he tweeted. "At this incredibly difficult time, I'm sending my deepest condolences to her family, her friends, and her fellow firefighters."
- In:
- Wildfire Smoke
- California Wildfires
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBS News.
TwitterveryGood! (94969)
Related
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- The U.S. needs more affordable housing — where to put it is a bigger battle
- How Much Did Ancient Land-Clearing Fires in New Zealand Affect the Climate?
- Amazon Shoppers Love This Very Cute & Comfortable Ruffled Top for the Summer
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Reporter's dismissal exposes political pressures on West Virginia Public Broadcasting
- Sarah Jessica Parker Teases Carrie & Aidan’s “Rich Relationship” in And Just Like That Season 2
- In a New Policy Statement, the Nation’s Physicists Toughen Their Stance on Climate Change, Stressing Its Reality and Urgency
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- In a Stark Letter, and In Person, Researchers Urge World Leaders at COP26 to Finally Act on Science
Ranking
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Latto Shares Why She Hired a Trainer to Maintain Her BBL and Liposuction Surgeries
- Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes opens up about being the villain in NFL games
- Avalanche of evidence: How a Chevy, a strand of hair and a pizza box led police to the Gilgo Beach suspect
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Maluma Is Officially a Silver Fox With New Salt and Pepper Hairstyle
- A Bankruptcy Judge Lets Blackjewel Shed Coal Mine Responsibilities in a Case With National Implications
- Q&A: Sustainable Farming Expert Weighs in on California’s Historic Investments in ‘Climate Smart’ Agriculture
Recommendation
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Titanic Submersible Disappearance: Debris Found in Search Area
Off the air, Fox News stars blasted the election fraud claims they peddled
California woman released by captors nearly 8 months after being kidnapped in Mexico
Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
Instagram and Facebook launch new paid verification service, Meta Verified
Ariana Grande Kicks Off 30th Birthday Celebrations Early With This Wickedly Festive POV
Tina Turner's Son Ike Jr. Arrested on Charges of Crack Cocaine Possession