As wildfires persist in Canada, the Great Lakes region is experiencing thick smog and unprecedented air quality problems due to smoke from the blazes.
Across Canada, particularly in Quebec province, extensive fire outbreaks have been raging for several weeks. Canadian officials reported that over 9 million acres of land have already been consumed by the fires, leading to the evacuation of more than 20,000 people.
Even hundreds of miles away from the fires, residents in the smokiest areas, such as Chicago, woke up to the world's worst air quality on Tuesday morning. The Environmental Protection Agency deemed the air quality in Chicago "very unhealthy." Nearby cities like Detroit and Minneapolis are also grappling with smog and poor air conditions.
The situation in the Midwest brings to mind the recent occurrence in New York City when the skyline turned a dark orange hue reminiscent of Mars, accompanied by a strong cigar-like smell.
In early June, smoke from the wildfire crisis traveled southward from Canada to the United States, affecting the northeast, the Great Lakes area, and the mid-Atlantic region. Cities like Philadelphia took precautionary measures, including canceling outdoor school activities, during that time.
Government officials are now cautioning that a cold front moving towards New York could bring unhealthy levels of smoke back to the area overnight on Tuesday and into Wednesday.
Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of vigilance, especially for those vulnerable to air pollution, urging residents to stay updated on the latest information and take necessary precautions to protect themselves.
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Here's what you need to know about the smoke:
Why does smoke travel such long distances?
Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, explains that the copious and ongoing fires in Canada enable the smoke to spread extensively. As long as the fires continue and emit smoke, the issue will persist. The wildfires in Canada have been exacerbated by extremely dry conditions and warm temperatures. As of Monday, there were 493 active fires in Canada, with at least 259 classified as out of control.
The trajectory of the smoke follows the prevailing wind, which currently blows from north to south, carrying smoke from Canadian fires into the United States. Kines explains that all the smoke suspended in the air gets carried by the wind flow and pushed into the states, leading to the current situation.
Is smoke worse at higher or lower elevations?
Typically, smoke levels tend to be higher in high-elevation areas than in low ones, but not always. Kines explains that usually, when there is smoke, it is higher up in the atmosphere and appears as haze. However, in this particular case, the abundant smoke is closer to the ground. It not only reduces visibility but also affects air quality and can be smelled.
The northeastern U.S. was already experiencing smog from fires in Nova Scotia in late May when additional plumes arrived in June. Although the current fires are much more severe, the combination of smoke influx has contributed to strained air quality in both countries.
How long will the smoke persist?
Meteorologists predict that smoke in the Great Lakes region will gradually dissipate today and tomorrow, with mostly clear skies expected by late Wednesday.
However, experts note that weather conditions can change, and there is still a possibility of smoke issues if the fires in Canada continue to burn when the winds shift to become more northerly (blowing from north to south) again next week.
Government officials in affected states and counties are advising people, especially children, senior citizens, and individuals with asthma or other respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, to stay indoors as much as possible.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized that the city is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals, pledging to provide updates and swift action as needed.
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