Canadian Wildfire Smoke Spreads Across U.S., Triggering Air Quality Alerts

Just like heat domes, smoke from Canadian wildfires appears to be a regular feature of American summers.

For the past several years, we have covered the smoke emanating from blazes in Canada’s mismanaged forests. Furthermore, a number of the fires were investigated for potential arson.

Now, over 800 wildfires are being reported across Canada, with smoke affecting air quality in New York.

More than 830 wildfires were burning in Canada on Wednesday, along with more than a dozen in northern Minnesota, forcing mandatory evacuations and spreading unhealthy smoke down to the Lower 48.

Some of the largest wildfires are burning in west-central Ontario, consuming thick forests and releasing an incredible amount of smoke.

The wind is now directing that smoke into the U.S., creating dangerous air quality for millions across the upper Midwest and Northeast on Wednesday and through the end of the week.

On Wednesday afternoon, air quality had reached unhealthy levels in New York City and the Eastern Lake Ontario region, the Central New York region and parts of Western New York, according to air monitoring site AirNow...