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Smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota exposes millions to hazardous air across the West and Northeast
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Air quality in northeastern Minnesota was predicted to reach dangerous levels, not just for sensitive groups, but for everyone.
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Children, pregnant people, and those with asthma or heart disease are at the highest risk from small particles
WEDNESDAY, July 15, 2026 (NewsDay News) – Millions of people across the West and Northeast are breathing dangerous air this week as heavy smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota sweeps across the region.
Minnesota officials issued an air quality alert Tuesday through Friday for areas including the Twin Cities metro area, Alexandria and Two Harbors. Associated Press.
Air quality in Two Harbors, the Grand Portage Tribal Nation and other parts of northeastern Minnesota was expected to reach hazardous levels — not just for everyone, but for vulnerable groups.
Duddo is moving fast. By Wednesday afternoon, it was expected to hit Milwaukee, Detroit, northern Pennsylvania and parts of coastal New England. AP News.
Western and Central New York were under an air quality advisory until midnight Wednesday, and the heaviest smoke could reach as far south as Washington, D.C., by Thursday afternoon.
Officials in Michigan and Wisconsin warned residents on Tuesday that air quality problems could continue for several days, TajikTA reports. AP News. In parts of Maine, residents described yellow and brown skies.
Risks from fine particulate pollution, which can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness and fatigue, and worsening of heart and lung diseases.
Tyler Hasenstein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the smoke is coming in along with the intense heat, and people should stay indoors as much as possible. National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
“Those two things going together are not good from a health perspective,” he said AP News.
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, buildings and other materials, and according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can travel far from the site of the fire.
Inhaling it can cause coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, scratchy throats, headaches, chest pains, and rapid heartbeat.
Anyone can get sick, but the risk is greater for children, pregnant people, emergency responders, and people with chronic illnesses. asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, chronic kidney disease or heart diseaseCDC says.
Drought and heat set the stage. The combination “created a perfect storm of really dry conditions to provide plenty of fuel to fuel this fire,” Dan Westerveltan associate professor at Columbia University’s School of Climate in Palisades, New York, said AP News.
Warming temperatures make wildfires more frequent and more intense.
To limit exposure, experts recommend stopping or skipping outdoor activities, wearing an N95 mask outside, keeping windows closed, and running an air purifier or air conditioner. AP News.
Long time to expose, to expose It depends on small substances from the smoke of the fire to cause premature death.
More information
For more information on protecting yourself, visit the National Institutes of Health smoke from fireworks.
SOURCE: AP NewsJuly 15, 2026
What does this mean for you?
Those with asthma, heart disease or other chronic conditions, or who are pregnant or caring for young children, should check their local air quality before going outside. They should be concerned about keeping the activity indoors while the smoke remains.
