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2w ago

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Engulfs Midwest Skies

Dense smoke from over 700 active fires in Canada’s remote north has kept air quality unhealthy across the Upper Midwest into southern Ontario through the weekend.

A city view of Toronto on Monday July 14, 2025. The Air Quality Health Index rating for Toronto was over 10, or "very high risk," from wildfire smoke on Monday morning.
Image
The CN Tower as seen from the Toronto Islands.
Canadian Wildfires

Overview

  • Canadian wildfires have consumed more than 6.6 million hectares this year, marking 2025 as Canada’s second-largest season on record after 2023, with around 717 active fires and 216 considered out of control
  • Air quality alerts are in effect in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, eastern Nebraska and parts of Indiana and Illinois while Environment Canada has issued statements for northern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
  • Minneapolis registered a PM2.5 level of 134 on IQAir, ranking it third-worst globally, and Chicago reached 105, placing it ninth on the world pollution list
  • Forecasters warn that smoky conditions may persist through Sunday and could drift as far south as Tennessee and Missouri before gradual improvements arrive
  • Public health agencies advise sensitive groups to wear NIOSH-certified respirators, limit outdoor exertion, keep windows and doors closed and run indoor air filters to reduce smoke exposure