More than 100 million people across the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are breathing dangerous air as thick smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets over a dozen states, disrupting prothom summer gatherings and raising concerns about major sporting events.
Fires Rage Across Canada
Nearly 1,000 active fires were burning across Canada as of Saturday, according to the Canadian government. So far this summer, about 3,500 fires have burned more than 6 million acres. Ontario alone has 191 active fires, seven more than Friday, Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference. More than 150 fire crews are working across the province.
Mike Harris, Ontario's minister of natural resources, said the province had been preparing for another wildfire season but called this year unprecedented. "We've seen fire activity like never before," he said.
Sporting Events and Public Gatherings Canceled
Air quality alerts forced cancellations across the country. The Cleveland Guardians game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the RowFest National Championships in Michigan were called off or postponed. A baby parade in Flint, Michigan, a rock concert in Herndon, Virginia, and the America's Mile marathon in Pittsburgh were also canceled. Amusement parks including Kennywood and Sandcastle Water Park in Pennsylvania shuttered due to poor air quality.
One lingering question is whether smoke will affect the World Cup final scheduled for Sunday afternoon in New York City. Forecasters say the heaviest smoke could clear out of the region ahead of the match, though thinner plumes may still move into the area.
Residents Navigate Health Risks and Disruption
Milwaukee, Chicago and Detroit had some of the worst air quality in the country Friday morning, with dangerous pollution levels stretching into southern Ohio and West Virginia. Chicago's mayor's office said the city was experiencing its worst air quality in recorded history and urged residents to stay indoors or wear well-fitted N95 or KN95 masks.
The Detroit Health Department offered free masks to residents. Philadelphia officials warned that "everyone is likely to experience health effects" from smoke exposure. In Washington, DC, health officials distributed masks to government personnel working outside, canceled outdoor activities and closed outdoor pools and spray parks.
Erin Cotton, a DC mother of two young children who previously lived through the Palisades Fire in California, said her eyes watered and her children felt itchy before she realized smoke had settled over the city. At her daughter's summer camp, outdoor activities were canceled. "The kids showed up in their swimsuits but could not go outside to play," she said. "All the kids had meltdowns."
Abigail Nguyen, another DC resident, had planned to watch the World Cup final on the National Mall with thousands of fans. She decided to watch at home instead. "I can't really get the full effect and energy of the crowd, which is so sad," she said.
Mike Warnke of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said summer tourism businesses have been severely affected. "These folks' livelihoods have been upended by these fires," he told CNN.
