More than 100 million people across the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic were breathing dangerous air from Canadian wildfire smoke blanketing over a dozen states, with cities urging residents to stay indoors or wear N95 masks.
The smoke, from a Canadian wildfire season officials called unprecedented, disrupted summer gatherings and major sporting events, and raised questions about Sunday's World Cup final in New York City.
How many wildfires are burning in Canada?
Nearly 1,000 active fires were burning across Canada as of Saturday, according to the Canadian government. About 3,500 fires had burned more than 6 million acres so far this summer.
Ontario had 191 active fires, seven more than Friday, Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference, with more than 150 fire crews 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.
Which cities have the worst air quality right now?
Milwaukee, Chicago and Detroit had some of the worst air quality in the country Friday morning, with dangerous pollution 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, officials distributed masks to outdoor government workers, canceled outdoor activities and closed outdoor pools and spray parks.
Events canceled from ballgames to a baby parade
Air quality alerts forced cancellations across the country:
- The Cleveland Guardians game against the Pittsburgh Pirates was called off or postponed.
- The RowFest National Championships in Michigan were canceled or postponed.
- A baby parade in Flint, Michigan, a rock concert in Herndon, Virginia, and the America's Mile marathon in Pittsburgh were canceled.
- Kennywood and Sandcastle Water Park in Pennsylvania closed due to poor air quality.
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."
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.
Will smoke affect the World Cup final in New York?
The World Cup final was scheduled for Sunday afternoon in New York City, with thousands of fans planning to watch on the National Mall in Washington.
Forecasters said the heaviest smoke could clear the New York City region ahead of the match, though thinner plumes might still move in.
Abigail Nguyen, a DC resident, had planned to watch on the National Mall but 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.
How long air quality alerts will remain in effect across the affected states, and whether the Canadian fires will be contained as the season continues, was not yet clear.