Air quality plummets in 20 US states as smoke from Canadian wildfires spreads

Key Points:

• Smoke from over 180 wildfires in northern Ontario and multiple fires in Minnesota is spreading across more than 20 US states, leading to widespread air quality alerts and unhealthy conditions for millions of Americans this week.
• Cities such as Minneapolis, Detroit, and Chicago are experiencing some of the worst air pollution globally, with parts of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota reaching "hazardous" air quality levels, prompting officials to advise residents to stay indoors.
• New York City has extended its heat emergency plan due to combined high temperatures and smoke from Canadian wildfires, distributing over 100,000 N95 masks and urging residents to limit outdoor activity and stay hydrated.
• Air quality alerts remain in effect through Thursday night across affected states, with smoky conditions expected to persist into Friday and possibly the weekend, while rain is forecasted to improve conditions ahead of the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday.
• Officials and lawmakers, including Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, highlight the ongoing climate crisis exacerbating wildfire smoke events, emphasizing the need for public safety measures amid record El Niño forecasts.