Wildfire Smoke Prompts Health Warnings Across Upper Midwest

The upper Midwest is once again facing health warnings due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, with fires in British Columbia and Alberta sending haze over parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert for the entire state, warning that pollution levels would be unhealthy for everyone. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also issued advisories for multiple counties in the state, cautioning that air quality was unhealthy for sensitive individuals.

The smoke from the wildfires left skies hazy over Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with some residents reporting the smell of smoke in the air. While most of the smoke was expected to linger over Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Michigan, some could drift as far south as Iowa and Chicago, leading to milky skies by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

According to the Canadian government’s National Wildland Fire Situation report, nearly 90 fires are currently burning in Canada, with one fire near Fort Nelson in British Columbia forcing evacuations. The prevailing winds are driving most of the smoke between a mile and 2 miles above the ground, pushing it south and east towards the United States.

Climate change has been identified as a significant factor in the increased wildfire activity, with hot, dry weather fueling the fire season. The chances of more wildfires igniting this summer remain high, particularly in northeastern British Columbia, northwestern Alberta, and the southern Northwest Territories, which are experiencing intense drought conditions.

Loretta Mickley, co-leader of Harvard University’s Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling Group, noted that increasing fire activity is consistent with a warming climate. While drought conditions may be less severe in Ontario and Quebec in the coming months, higher than normal temperatures could still pose a risk for wildfires.

As we head into the summer months, the impact of meteorological conditions and winter weather on fire activity remains uncertain. The abundance of vegetation from winter rain followed by dryness or drought could provide ample fuel for fires to spread. It is essential to monitor weather patterns and take necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of wildfires in the region.