Canadian Wildfire Smoke Turns Midwest Air ‘Very Unhealthy’

4 Jun at 9:15 am

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Canadian Wildfire Smoke Turns Midwest Air ‘Very Unhealthy’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Smoke from Canadian wildfires has created hazardous air quality across the U.S. Midwest, particularly in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The wildfires have forced over 27,000 evacuations in Canada and sent high-altitude smoke plumes as far as Europe. Health officials urge vulnerable populations to stay indoors or wear N95 masks to avoid respiratory complications.

Royal Canadian Air Force Pte. Carter Brinn (left) and Cpl. Ethan Cai helps load cargo as evacuees from Pinaow Wachi Care Home board a C-130 Hercules aircraft in Norway House, Man., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Norway House Airport as crews continue to fight wildfires in northern Manitoba. (David Lipnowski/The Canadian Press via AP)

Wildfire Smoke Impact: Quick Looks

Midwest Air Quality Worsens: Smoke pushed Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in Minneapolis-St. Paul into the “very unhealthy” and even “hazardous” ranges.
Health Risks Rise: Hospitals in the region, like Hennepin Healthcare, are reporting increased respiratory cases due to fine particulate exposure.
Evacuations in Canada: More than 27,000 people have fled wildfire zones in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and nearby provinces.
Transatlantic Smoke Plumes: Wildfire smoke has crossed the Atlantic, reaching Greece and other parts of Europe, though with minimal ground-level health impact.
Carbon Pollution Spike: Fires have emitted 56 megatonnes of carbon so far in 2025, the second-highest wildfire carbon output on record after 2023.
Protective Measures Recommended: Authorities advise wearing N95 masks outdoors and avoiding strenuous activity, especially for people with lung or heart conditions.

Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and rain obscures the downtown skyline of Minneapolis, Minn., on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)

Deep Look: Canadian Wildfire Smoke Plunges Midwest Air Quality to Dangerous Levels

Smoke from extensive wildfires raging across Canada has blanketed parts of the American Midwest with dangerously polluted air, leading to air quality warnings and health alerts in states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Conditions reached “very unhealthy” levels Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Minneapolis-St. Paul topping 250 — well into the red and purple zones on the EPA’s pollution scale.

These conditions follow over 27,000 evacuations across three Canadian provinces as fires continue to burn near communities like Flin Flon in Manitoba and La Ronge in Saskatchewan. Winnipeg hotels have opened their doors to evacuees, and emergency response efforts are underway across affected regions.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued an alert covering most of the state, warning residents that air quality would only gradually improve by Wednesday. Meanwhile, Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources extended similar warnings through Thursday morning, as smoke drifted across the region, reaching as far east as Michigan and as far south as Georgia.

Hospitals such as Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis are already reporting increased visits from patients suffering from asthma, COPD flare-ups, and other respiratory issues. Pulmonologist Dr. Rachel Strykowski emphasized the importance of early intervention and noted that N95 masks — not cloth masks — are essential for protection against fine particulate matter.

The smoke isn’t only affecting the United States. The European climate agency Copernicus confirmed that wildfire smoke has crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Plumes have reached Greece and other Mediterranean regions, though they remain at high altitudes and are not expected to impact ground-level air quality in Europe. Still, the sheer distance traveled signals the fires’ unprecedented intensity.

According to Copernicus, Canada’s 2025 fire season has already released an estimated 56 megatonnes of carbon emissions — trailing only the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season. Senior scientist Mark Parrington explained that smoke reaching such high altitudes is rare and indicative of fires burning with exceptional heat and energy.

In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned that AQI levels in parts of Minnesota and northern Iowa had reached purple zones, signaling “very unhealthy” air for the general public. Short-term exposure could trigger symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and aggravated heart and lung conditions. Prolonged exposure could increase the risk of chronic health problems, especially in vulnerable populations.

The Air Quality Index evaluates pollutants like ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulates — the last being the biggest concern during wildfire events. While Minnesota narrowly avoided maroon-level alerts, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan saw temporary surges to that hazardous tier.

With most wildfires concentrated in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canadian officials have also voiced concern about the longevity and scope of the fire season. Two deaths were reported last month in Lac du Bonnet, northeast of Winnipeg. And with dry conditions persisting, authorities fear that the situation could worsen before it improves.

For now, experts and health agencies on both sides of the border urge residents in smoke-affected areas to limit outdoor activity, monitor AQI reports, and prepare for the continued presence of wildfire smoke through the summer.