Air quality alerts and warnings were triggered on Monday due to smoke from wildfires in western Canada, with hazy conditions affecting parts of four U.S. states.
Canada currently has 146 wildfires burning, with dozens in British Columbia and Alberta being described as “out of control,” according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Firefighting Center.
In the U.S., warnings were issued in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota as smoke rose due to winds.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert on Sunday in response to dense smoke from wildfires in northeast British Columbia.
The northern half of Minnesota has cleared up, but smoke is expected to remain over southern Minnesota on Monday as winds weaken.
On Monday, air quality conditions across the four states ranged from “moderate” to “unhealthy,” as indicated by the Air Quality Index established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to measure pollutants and associated risks.
Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can reach deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and health issues such as asthma, lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.
The Air Quality Index monitors PM2.5 particle pollution, along with other pollutants like ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
Over 24,000 acres have burned in Western Canada, marking the first major wildfire of the season.
Evacuation orders were issued on Sunday for residents in British Columbia’s Northern Rockies Municipality and Fort Nelson First Nations due to rapidly spreading fires.
During last summer, smoke from Quebec wildfires affected air quality in various parts of the U.S., leading to plummeting levels in cities nationwide.
Canada faced its most devastating wildfire season on record last year, burning over 45 million acres, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.
The country is preparing for another high-risk fire season, with the government warning of persistent drought conditions increasing wildfire risks.
Climate change is contributing to warmer and drier conditions, a significant factor in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, especially in a warming world.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
