Canadian wildfire smoke blankets parts of US Midwest, Northeast

Key Points:

• Heavy wildfire smoke from Canadian and northern Minnesota fires has darkened skies from the Great Lakes to the East Coast, causing hazardous air quality and prompting health warnings across multiple U.S. cities.
• Officials have urged residents to stay indoors or wear masks outdoors due to the dangerous levels of particulate matter that can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular health issues.
• Cities like Detroit, Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia have taken measures including canceling outdoor activities, opening cooling centers, and distributing masks to protect public health.
• The smoke is expected to persist for weeks or months until the fires are extinguished, with officials warning of potential recurring air quality spikes as winds shift.
• In Minnesota, wildfires continue to spread, complicating evacuation and firefighting efforts, with some areas like the Boundary Waters closed and ongoing search operations for remaining visitors.