Over 800 wildfires burn in Canada as air quality alerts extend to US
More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, the vast majority out of control, sending plumes of smoke into the northern United States and triggering air quality concerns from the Great Lakes to New Jersey, where the World Cup final is scheduled.
According to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, the vast majority of the more than 800 wildfires are burning out of control. A large cluster of fires in western Ontario is responsible for thick smoke and poor air quality in Thunder Bay and Toronto, with less concentrated smoke high in the atmosphere drifting over the Great Lakes and New York, causing hazy skies and redder sunrises and sunsets.
Widespread thunderstorms are expected in Ontario over the coming days, but the rain may not be enough to make a significant difference. Northwesterly winds will continue to blow smoke into northern US states through the weekend, raising concerns that smoke could reach New Jersey, where the World Cup final is set to take place on Sunday.
A change in wind direction by Monday is expected to steer smoke across Quebec, improving air quality further south in the US. Currently, Detroit has the worst air quality in the world, according to Swiss air quality tracker IQAir, followed by Minneapolis and Toronto.
