The ongoing outbreak of fires in Canada is sending new surges of smoke into the Midwest of the United States, and the pollution has been spotted as far away as Europe.
As Canada struggles with one of the worst wildfire seasons in decades, thick smoke from Quebec reached the Midwest of the United States on Tuesday, a day after NASA reported that it had traversed the Atlantic Ocean and reached Europe.
The extraordinary outbreak of wildfires in Canada has displaced tens of thousands of people, heightened concerns about global warming, and, this month, sent choking smoke down the East Coast of the United States, from New York City to Washington, D.C., and as far west as Minnesota.
How has the pollution impacted the air quality in the Midwestern United States?
Tuesday, the wildfires in Canada worsened the air quality in Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee, among other cities. Tuesday at noon, the Air Quality Index in Chicago reached 209, the worst reading of any significant city in the globe, according to the Swiss air-quality technology company IQAir. (On Wednesday morning, the air quality index in Chicago increased to 216, while it reached 306 in Detroit.)
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, the index was 175, while it surged to 255 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. People with respiratory conditions are advised to take precautions if the air quality index is above 100.
In the United States, such numbers are uncommon; an index above 200 is deemed “very unhealthy” for everyone, and one above 300 is considered “hazardous.” Early in June, readings on the East Coast exceeded 400.
How long will the lingering haze last this time?
On Tuesday, a storm system located just northeast of the Great Lakes generated a counterclockwise wind that carried smoke from Canadian wildfires into the Midwest. As the system rotates eastward, the vapor will likely transfer eastward as well. However, it was anticipated that the storm system would evacuate the region rather swiftly.
Nonetheless, hazy and smoky skies will likely persist throughout much of the United States during the summer.
How many wildfires are currently raging in Canada?
On Tuesday, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported 485 active fires, of which 257 were uncontrolled.
Officials report that as of June 7, more than 9.8 million acres of forest had been consumed by fires in Canada this year, which is more than 10 times the area that had burnt by this time last year.
How far has the smoke from Canadian wildfires spread?
NASA reported on Monday that satellite imagery revealed smoke from northern Quebec had reached Europe, obscuring the skies in southwestern Europe and drifting over portions of northern Portugal, Spain, and France.
How are wildfires impacting air quality and summer activities?
Environment Canada warned Tuesday that the air quality in Toronto, Canada’s largest city and financial capital, would deteriorate overnight. Poor air quality has also plagued Montreal, where the sun has appeared as a vivid red dot in recent days.
The poor air quality caused the cancellation of an Ironman triathlon last weekend in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, and the closure of some pools and beaches in parts of Quebec and Ontario has diminished summer recreation.
What function does global warming serve?
According to climate research, heat and drought caused by global warming are significant contributors to the number and severity of wildfires.
Many regions of Canada have recently encountered drought and high temperatures. Canada has the world’s largest intact forest ecosystem. This can make trees more flammable and can dry out decaying vegetation, pine needles, and other materials that can serve as kindling on the forest floor.
