Nearly 90 wildfires burn in Canada as air quality threat looms in upper Midwest

Around 90 wildfires are currently burning in Canada, sending smoke into the upper Midwest. On Monday, May 13, the smoke caused several states to issue air quality alerts . In Minnesota, all groups of people — healthy or not — were advised to stay indoors.

There was a similar problem in 2023 when Canada had its worst wildfire season on record. Around 250,000 Canadians had to be evacuated because of fires and four firefighters died . Now, concerns are growing this year as people are evacuated from parts of British Columbia due to the Park Lake Fire, which continues to spread.

Other blazes in Canada are threatening communities in Alberta and Manitoba. Experts said the uptick in fires has been made worse by years of drought and this winter's below-normal snowpack.

So far, the fires are also causing unhealthy conditions in the Dakotas, Montana, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency advised people to remain indoors, with the warning extended on afternoon of May 13 to last until 11 p.m.

Most of the smoke is expected to stay over Minnesota, but some could drift south of Iowa and Chicago by Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Adding to the air quality problems is agricultural burning in Mexico, which is bringing unhealthy air to Texas earlier. Health officials are warning people who are in areas of poor air quality to stay indoors, and limit time outside if going outdoors is necessary. Health officials also recommend avoiding any strenuous activity outdoors.

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