25 July 2023 , 13:39
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An air quality forecast map has detailed the devastating Canadian wildfire smoke spreading across the US.
Poor air quality and pollution from more than 1,000 wildfires is threatening residents' health in Chicago, Illinois, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit, Michigan are now among at least three major US cities that are ranked in the top 20 most polluted cities in the world, according to global pollution tracker IQAir.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre said the wildfire smoke has drifted over the Great Lakes region.
More than 1,090 active fires have swept through Canada and 670 are considered "out of control."
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The amount of active fires is up from more than 880 fires last week, with the majority of the country's wildfires burning in British Columbia, where over 460 fires are ongoing.
Poor air quality and pollution from more than 1,000 wildfires is threatening residents' health (AirNow)According to the National Weather Service, air quality alerts are in place for millions of people across Michigan and parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana.
Hazy skies, along with a smattering of Canadian wildfire, has stretched across the US in the last week, forcing air quality alerts for more than a dozen states such as Montana, Vermont, and some as far as Alabama.
The smoke is due to move through the Great Lakes region on Tuesday and disperse by Wednesday - with Minneapolis set to reach 100F and Chicago in the upper 90Fs.
Hazy air is covering cities across the US (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)The United States Environmental Protection Agency in Illinois declared an “Air Pollution Action Day” through Tuesday due to the “persistent” wildfire smoke causing increased air pollution in the area.
Similar warnings have been declared in Wisconsin and Michigan as the agency warned people with chronic repository issues should limit their time outdoors.
Wednesday's air quality is sweeping across the US (AirNow)They have also advised against heavy exercise for teenagers, children, the elderly, and those with heart or lung problems, and pregnant people.
“All Chicagoans may also consider wearing masks, limiting their outdoor exposure, moving activities indoors, running air purifiers, and closing windows,” the city said on Monday.
Although residents will be allowed out to exercise, it is advised against, as breathing in particle pollution can cause damage to your health.
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, "breathing in particle pollution can be harmful to your health. Coarse (bigger) particles can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat."
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Residents have been told to limit their time outdoors (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)The national fire centre said 29 million acres of Canadian land have been scorched so far this year.
Smoke from the wildfires has spread across the US and travelled into Europe and has caused a number of fatalities. At least two Canadian firefighters died while battling the fires.
Public Safety Canada announced last week British Columbia will receive federal assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces after being badly hit by the wildfires.
In addition, a number of their fires have been ignited by lighting strikes from thunderstorms.