Friday, air quality alerts were issued in six states, while smoke from Canadian forest fires continues to have an impact on parts of the United States
Why it matters
Health authorities warn that the aggravation of air quality has a health risk, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly and people with existing medical conditions.
At least two people died and tens of thousands were evacuated to Canada as a result of flames, reports.
August Frank / Lewiston Tribune / AP
What to know
The National Weather Service (NWS) has published alerts for certain parts of Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Nebraska.
Alerts have warned that high levels of particulate pollution were provided due to the smoke of the flames.
They also advised residents of the affected areas, in particular those of sensitive groups, to avoid prolonged or intense outdoor activities.
Some opinions have suggested keeping windows and closed doors to prevent smoke from getting inside, while others have suggested that public members could take measures to reduce air pollution, such as walking or cycling, carpooling, use of public transport and avoiding using the tracks.
According to CBS News, more than 33,000 people were invited to evacuate three Canadian provinces on Wednesday due to forest fires.
Emergency states had already been declared to Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Prime Minister of Manitoba, Wab Kinew, described efforts in his province as “the largest evacuation of forest fire fires”.
What people say
Friday, the National Weather Service said on X: “The poor air quality can be dangerous for anyone. Before spending time outside, check the air quality forecasts to make sure you don’t hurt yourself than good.”
Professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine Jonathan Grigg, with Queen Mary University in London, previously said Nowsweek:: “There are vulnerable groups, and classically, they are children because they have an additional problem to do with the development of their lungs, while our lungs do not develop as an adult.
“Their trajectory can be deflected so that they do not really reach their maximum pulmonary function.”
There are also “very clear links” between the inhalation of particles and death earlier from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, said Grigg.
Grigg added that conditions such that asthma are also exacerbated by exposure to air pollution.
NWS Duluth, Minnesota, said Thursday X: “Smoke in Canadian forest fires will propagate in northeast Minnesota and west of Lake Superior this evening and will remain on Friday.
What happens next
Some of the alerts had to expire at noon, while others were in force until midnight Friday evening.
The NWS issues regular forecast updates on its website.
Update 06/06/2025, 5:00 HE: This article has been updated with additional information.
