Heavy smoke originating from a series of large wildfires in Canada and Minnesota is expected to engulf vast portions of the U.S. Midwest and Northeast this week, exposing millions of residents to hazardous air pollution. The smoke, carried southeast by prevailing winds, has prompted air quality warnings stretching from Minnesota through Toronto and into New York. Experts anticipate the haze could reach as far south as Washington, D.C., by midday Thursday.
In far northeastern Minnesota, the situation became particularly urgent as rangers moved to evacuate the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The 1.1-million-acre wilderness, which is nearly the size of Delaware and accessible primarily by canoe, was closed Tuesday after approximately 17 lightning-caused fires began spreading through the region.
Superior National Forest spokesperson Joy VanDrie stated that between 6,000 and 10,000 people were estimated to be inside the wilderness area when the order was issued.
Rangers worked to clear the area, and by Wednesday, officials estimated that 90% of the visitors had been successfully evacuated. No injuries or deaths have been reported during the arduous process, which required campers to paddle for hours or portage their boats over land to reach safety.
Campers who were rescued described a harrowing experience as the sky darkened rapidly and they could feel the heat while navigating to safety. Jan Bailey, who was camping with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren, and three dogs, recounted seeing wispy smoke on the horizon that quickly transformed into a raging firestorm. After a paddleboarder with a satellite phone reached their campsite, they were able to contact forestry rangers who sent a boat to rescue them.
Bailey noted that they were weaving between lakes with fire on both sides of them as campsites were consumed by flames. Additionally, Canadian authorities assisted in the rescue of two groups of youth campers who had crossed the border, including one group stranded on an isolated sandbar, according to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The smoke is arriving alongside unusually hot summer temperatures, creating a dangerous combination for public health. Tyler Hasenstein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota, advised that the best course of action is to stay indoors to avoid both the smoke and the extreme heat.
He emphasized that the coincidence of these two factors is detrimental from a health perspective. In Minneapolis, temperatures were expected to reach 96 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, with highs above 90 degrees predicted for the remainder of the week.
Matt Taraldsen, a supervisory meteorologist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, noted that the sky in northern Minnesota turned orange like Mars, and because only about half of the buildings in the area have air conditioning, residents face a difficult choice between heat and smoke.
Theresa Taraldsen, a resident of Duluth, Minnesota, reported that her home smelled like a campfire and that she had to use her inhaler for asthma when she opened her door. She described a "white wall of smoke" that obscured her view of the St. Louis River. Meanwhile, officials in Michigan and Wisconsin have warned residents of air quality issues that may persist for days.
Reports from New York and as far as Maine indicated that residents could smell the smoke or observe a yellowish and brownish tint in the sky.
The current wildfire season has been particularly active and deadly across North America. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, about four dozen large fires are burning across 15 states, ranging from Minnesota and North Carolina to Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and California. In Canada, more than 100 wildfires are currently active, including an incident where a train crew in northern Ontario was forced to evacuate after being surrounded by flames.
Dan Westervelt, an associate professor at Columbia University’s Climate School, explained that severe drought conditions and heat in both Canada and the U.S. have created a "perfect storm" for fire growth. Research indicates that warming temperatures linked to the burning of coal, oil, and gas are contributing to more frequent and intense fire seasons.
Health officials warn that high levels of fine particulate matter can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, and fatigue, particularly for sensitive groups such as children and those with heart or lung conditions. Experts recommend wearing an N95 mask if outdoor activity is necessary and keeping indoor air cleaner by closing windows and utilizing air purifiers or air conditioning.
Regarding the future of the Boundary Waters, VanDrie stated it is unclear when the area will reopen.
Minnesota officials indicated that some fires will be allowed to burn indefinitely while being monitored to ensure they do not threaten people or property. Patty Thielen, director of the state Department of Natural Resources, noted that significant fires could persist throughout the summer until the arrival of snow.
