Air quality advisories have been issued across the Midwest due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, affecting Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Hundreds of thousands of residents in these states have been advised to stay indoors as air pollution levels reach hazardous levels.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AirNow map, air pollution rates across Minnesota and portions of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa are considered “unhealthy” on Wednesday. The EPA and the National Weather Service (NWS) have advised people to limit their exposure to outdoor air due to deteriorating air quality caused by wildfires and current meteorological conditions, which have pushed pollution levels into the hazardous area in numerous cities.
The continuous warnings highlight the dangers smoke and air pollution pose to human health, particularly for vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory disorders. This week’s wildfires in Minnesota have contributed to the destruction already done by a series of wildfires that burned over 35,000 acres of land last month. The last few days have seen terrible air quality throughout Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
With Air Quality Index (AQI) readings ranging from 151-200, Wisconsin cities like Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Green Bay have been put under a red warning. The red warning indicates that while individuals of sensitive groups could face more severe health problems, some members of the general public may encounter “health effects.” The red alert is in effect for Menominee and Iron Mountain in Michigan, Rochester and a portion of Minneapolis in Minnesota, and Mason City in Iowa.