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Ground-level wildfire smoke impacting metro air quality
FOX 9 Meteorologist Cody Matz explains why wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota and Canada is causing such poor air quality. Unlike typical wildfire smoke that rises to 20,000 to 30,000 feet, this smoke is shallow and concentrated near the ground, where people live and breathe.
Hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada are causing hazardous air quality in the Midwest and parts of the Northeast.
Forecasters say the heavy wildfire smoke could spread as far south as Washington, D.C., by midday Thursday, and Detroit and Minneapolis have some of the worst breathing conditions in the world.
Where are the wildfires?
By the numbers:
According to the Canadian government, there are more than 850 active wildfires across Canada as of Thursday, with 29 new fires reported today. Winds are carrying the smoke southeast from Ontario down to Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and even parts of Maine.
July 16 map of wildfires burning across Canada (Canadian Wildland Fire Information System)
Wildfire smoke blankets parts of US
Local perspective:
Warnings about unhealthy air conditions Wednesday extended from Minnesota through Toronto and into New York. Unusually hot summer temperatures are making air quality even worse.
MORE: Michigan AQI: Canadian wildfire smoke blankets metro Detroit
In Minneapolis, the high Wednesday was expected to be 96 degrees F, with temperatures above 90 expected the rest of the week.
Haze from Canadian wildfires blankets the Manhattan skyline as seen from a Brooklyn pier on July 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The smoke was so thick that the sky turned orange like Mars in northern Minnesota, Matt Taraldsen, supervisory meteorologist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, told The Associated Press.
MORE: New York City air quality today: Here's when Canadian wildfire smoke could be the worst
Officials in Michigan and Wisconsin warned residents about air quality issues that could last for days. People in New York reported smelling smoke Wednesday afternoon and the problems extended even to Maine, where residents were reporting a yellowish and brownish color in the sky.
Map of fire locations, with brown layer indicating smoke spread as of 12pm ET on Thursday, July 16. (His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources)
MORE: Minnesota wildfires: Hazardous air quality in Twin Cities as fires continue to burn
The most intense smoke could spread as far south as Washington, D.C., by midday Thursday.
MORE: Illinois wildfire smoke: Air quality reaches dangerous levels
Why is wildfire smoke so unhealthy?
Dig deeper:
High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke can be unhealthy, especially for sensitive groups like children and people with heart or lung conditions.
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Canadian wildfire smoke rolls into downtown Detroit overnight
Wildfire smoke from Canada has caused an Air Quality Alert for Michigan and this timelapse from overnight shows the visual impact.
The particulates can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues.
How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke
What you can do:
Experts say the best thing you can do is stay indoors with your windows closed and an air purifier or air conditioner running to avoid the smoke and extreme heat.
If you have to be outside, consider wearing an N95 mask. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
The Source: This article includes information from The Associated Press, FOX 2 and previous FOX Local reporting.