Overview

• Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special air quality statement for Toronto after its Air Quality Health Index reached 7 on Thursday morning, forecasting a drop to 4 by nightfall.
• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency extended a statewide air quality alert through Saturday, forecasting red to purple AQI levels as smoke from Saskatchewan and Manitoba remains trapped by light winds.
• Wisconsin, Michigan and Connecticut agencies have issued multi-day advisories urging residents to wear N95 respirators, limit outdoor exertion and use indoor air filtration to reduce fine particulate exposure.
• IQAir data ranked Chicago as the world’s most polluted city on Thursday and placed Minneapolis and Toronto among the top three global AQI readings.
• Forecasters warn that northerly winds and high pressure are keeping dense wildfire smoke at ground level, with broader improvement expected once winds shift later this week.