Canadian wildfires worsen air quality in US: List of states affected

There are over 170 active wildfires in Canada. These fires have started affecting air quality in several US states, including Wisconsin and Michigan.

Updated on: Jun 4, 2025, 11:51:27 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Wildfires in Canada from the last week have now started affecting air quality in regions in the United States as well due to the southward direction of winds flowing from the region. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, there were 174 active wildfires in the country as of Friday (May 30), 94 of which were being assessed and observed but beyond any scope of being put out.

A person runs near the Stone Arch Bridge as a haze from Canadian wildfire smoke causes poor air quality in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., June 3, 2025. (REUTERS)

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AQI tracking page called AirNow, air quality in Northern Minnesota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and most of Wisconsin has been deemed unhealthy for sensitive people and animals. People may experience symptoms of coughing and shortness of breath and have been advised to stay indoors. Eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois showed moderate air quality on the map as of last week.

Heavy smoke at Green, Bay in Wisconsin as well as in Michigan and Chicago created hazy skies. Milwaukee and Chicago witnessed an orange sunset while heavy smoke spread as far as Detroit. Murray Kinsey, owner of a houseboat company just outside of Babbitt, Minnesota told the Associated Press, “It’s getting a little hard to breathe. But it’s not terrible. We’ve had it before, but it’s been way worse.”

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, fine particulate matter is expected to reach the red air quality index in the area which marks an unsafe level of contamination. The Appalachia and the Southeast were affected on Saturday (May 31) as smoke continued to spread. The Dakotas and Great Plains are also likely to be affected.

Also Read: Minnesota air quality alert: What maroon, purple, red and orange categories mean amid Canadian wildfire smoke

The fires started in the Canadian province of Manitoba, forcing evacuations. Canada is currently at the highest National Preparedness Level and has requested international help in gaining control of the situation. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered full support to local authorities in helping put out the fires via a social media post.

The wildfire season in Canada lasts from May to September.

By Stuti Gupta

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.