Smoke from wildfires in British Columbia and Alberta has led to health advisories in several states across the Upper Midwest and Montana for the second consecutive year. The haze from the fires has affected parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, with air quality alerts issued due to unhealthy pollution levels.
In Minnesota, the Pollution Control Agency issued its first statewide air quality alert of the season, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid outdoor exertion. The advisory was extended for southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area. Wisconsin also experienced unhealthy air quality in multiple counties across its northern two-thirds, prompting advisories that were extended until midnight.
Michigan's Upper Peninsula reported hazy skies on Monday, with some residents detecting the smell of smoke. Meteorologists predict that prevailing winds could carry the smoke south and east, reaching as far as Iowa and Chicago by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Last year, a record number of wildfires in Canada forced over 235,000 people to evacuate and resulted in smoky conditions in various U.S. cities. While there were 200 fires burning in Canada by mid-May last year, the number has decreased to 90 fires as of this Sunday.
The Canadian National Wildland Fire Situation report warns of a high risk of wildfires this summer, particularly in regions experiencing intense drought. Climate change has been identified as a significant factor in exacerbating hot, dry conditions that fuel fire seasons.
Experts emphasize the importance of monitoring meteorological conditions to assess the potential impact of wildfires. Factors such as winter precipitation, vegetation growth, and subsequent dry spells can significantly influence fire activity.
While the likelihood of a severe fire season in Canada remains uncertain, the U.S. may not experience the same level of haze as in 2023. Unusual weather patterns last year led to smoke from fires in Quebec and Ontario drifting south and east, affecting a large portion of the eastern U.S.
Meteorologists and environmental agencies are closely monitoring the situation to provide timely warnings and guidance to residents in the affected regions.
