Environment

Canadian wildfires cause unprecedented air quality crisis across North America and Europe

Friday, 6 June 2025 12:08AM UTC

Smoke from over 200 wildfires in Canada has severely degraded air quality in the northern US and Europe, prompting health alerts, evacuations, and highlighting the intensifying impact of climate-driven wildfires and underground 'zombie fires.'

Smoke from ongoing wildfires in Canada has severely impacted air quality across the northern United States, casting a hazy orange tint to the skies and prompting advisories for sensitive populations to limit outdoor activities. The air quality situation has been particularly dire in cities such as Chicago and Detroit, where authorities reported dangerously high levels of particulate pollution. In Chicago, the Air Quality Index reached a troubling 157, categorised as “unhealthy,” while a similar alert was effective in Detroit, which faced risks into the weekend.

"The situation has deteriorated significantly, and the heat complicates matters," noted Kevin Doom, a National Weather Service meteorologist, emphasising the need for caution during these hazardous air conditions. The effects of the smoke, which can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, pose a serious risk, especially to vulnerable populations including infants and the elderly.

Furthermore, the smoke from these wildfires has travelled vast distances, affecting air quality from the Midwest to as far south as Georgia and even extending across the Atlantic to Europe. According to reports, more than 200 wildfires are currently active in Canada, with Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta bearing the brunt of the damage. Collectively, over 6.4 million acres have burned this year in Canada alone, with further ignitions expected as conditions remain ripe for wildfires.

This year has seen the emergence of a phenomenon referred to as "zombie fires," which smoulder beneath the surface after previous seasons. These underground fires, particularly prevalent in British Columbia and fuelled by warmer and dryer conditions, make detection and extinguishing incredibly challenging. Experts warn that such fires are becoming more common, partially attributed to climate change, and they pose severe threats not only to public health but also to critical economic sectors.

Images and reports from across affected regions portray the wildfire situation as catastrophic. Manitoba has declared a state of emergency and implemented large-scale evacuations affecting more than 17,000 residents, as the fires intensified and resulted in fatalities. Saskatchewan's Premier Scott Moe expressed the severity of the situation, stating, "I've never seen anything like it."

As the smoke continues to plummet air quality levels, the situation could worsen. Experts are predicting interactions with existing weather patterns, including a substantial plume of Saharan dust moving towards North America, which may have further repercussions on air quality.

Officials are urging the public to take precautions against the dangers posed by smoke exposure. Those with respiratory issues are advised to stay indoors whenever possible, use protective masks, and monitor real-time air quality updates. By implementing these precautionary measures, individuals can mitigate the health risks associated with the deteriorating air quality while awaiting further improvements in the situation.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/canada-wildfires-us-air-quality-b2764394.html - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.ft.com/content/f87c4c4f-41de-4951-9bdf-286da55aac0f - The Financial Times reports that 'zombie fires'—smouldering underground since the previous winter—have reignited with warming temperatures, intensifying the 2025 wildfire season across Canada. These holdover fires burn slowly under peat-rich soil and are insulated by snow, making them difficult to detect and extinguish. British Columbia alone reported 49 of these fires, predominantly near Fort Nelson. Warmer, drier conditions have contributed to widespread wildfires across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, prompting evacuations. The smoke from these fires has travelled across North America and into Europe, with more expected. These fires threaten both public health and key economic sectors—5% of Canada's crude oil production is at risk due to shutdowns in Alberta's oil sands. Researchers note that zombie fires are growing more common, likely fuelled by climate change, which leads to warmer summers and drier conditions conducive to underground smouldering. Peatlands, which store significant carbon, are especially vulnerable, and burning them releases large amounts of CO₂, compounding global warming. Scientists are still unraveling the mechanics of zombie fires, with some models suggesting microbial activity and rapid temperature rises may spark underground combustion even without external ignition. The phenomenon is alarming due to the difficulty in detection, control, and its far-reaching environmental impacts.
https://apnews.com/article/d6104073d2b0483c3ffc12dbceb856cd - The Associated Press has released a curated photo collection titled 'Canada Wildfires Smoky Skies,' dated June 5, 2025. This collection showcases powerful imagery from the ongoing wildfires across Canada, highlighting the extensive smoke that has blanketed cities and landscapes. The photos offer visual insight into the scale and intensity of the fires, their impact on air quality, and how they are affecting daily life for residents. Through the lens of AP photographers, the collection captures scenes of dense smoke covering urban areas, emergency response efforts, and the altered appearance of natural landscapes. The photo series serves as a visual documentation of the environmental and societal challenges posed by the wildfires.
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/canadian-wildfire-smoke-spreads-across-third-us-2025-06-04/ - Reuters reports that smoke from wildfires in Canada's Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta provinces has spread across about one-third of the United States, affecting areas from the Dakotas to the Ohio Valley, Northeast, and as far south as Georgia. While much of the smoke remains aloft in the upper atmosphere, regions like New York and Connecticut have seen thicker smoke at lower levels, leading to deteriorated air quality. Over 212 wildfires are currently active in Canada, with half considered out of control and 2 million hectares (4.9 million acres) already burned. Air quality has particularly worsened in parts of the Northeast, with Williamstown, Massachusetts, recording a 'very unhealthy' level of 228. Vulnerable populations, such as infants and the elderly, are most at risk, though all individuals can be affected by the toxic fine particles in the smoke. However, conditions have improved in parts of the Midwest, with cities like Ely, Minnesota and Minneapolis seeing significantly lower pollution levels compared to the previous day.
https://apnews.com/article/5bc75883add745d8f639c8566c17d745 - The Associated Press reports that smoke from Canadian wildfires significantly deteriorated air quality across the eastern and midwestern United States on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Areas from Kansas City to Minneapolis experienced 'unhealthy' air conditions as recorded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). States such as Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan issued alerts warning residents, especially those with heart and lung conditions, to limit outdoor activities. In Minnesota, the Twin Cities recorded some of the worst air quality levels earlier in the week, leading to an increase in respiratory issues among children, according to pediatricians. Preschools in areas like Stoughton, Wisconsin, kept children indoors, disrupting routine outdoor activities. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached levels around 160 in affected areas, indicating hazardous particle pollution from wildfire smoke. Although conditions slightly improved in some regions by Wednesday afternoon, the overall impact remained widespread. The fires, primarily from Manitoba, Canada, have affected not just North America but have also transported smoke as far as Europe, showcasing the fires' vast scale and intensity. Officials continue to monitor the situation and advise precautionary measures for public health.
https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/canada-fires-smoke-us-air-quality-evacuations - Axios reports that as of early June 2025, 205 wildfires are burning across Canada, leading to widespread evacuations and significantly affecting air quality across several U.S. states and even parts of Europe. Provinces such as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have issued mandatory evacuation orders, with over 17,000 residents displaced in what Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew described as the province's largest evacuation in recent memory. At least two fatalities have been reported in Manitoba. The fires, intensified by a combination of heat, drought, and atmospheric conditions, have already burned nearly 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres), a situation exacerbated by climate change that has made high temperatures in central Canada much more likely. The smoke has drifted across the eastern U.S., triggering air quality alerts in states including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of Michigan. Satellite imagery has captured the thick smoke plumes as they spread. Experts warn of the hidden health hazards associated with prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke.
https://apnews.com/article/f041ae0562a5313cd8327329cbafeada - The Associated Press provides guidance on protecting oneself from the poor air quality caused by Canada's wildfires. As smoke from Canada’s wildfires spreads across parts of the U.S. and Europe, the resulting poor air quality poses significant health risks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports 'very unhealthy' air in the Midwest, Northeast, and Great Lakes areas, with Air Quality Index readings exceeding 150—hazardous for all, particularly sensitive groups like those with asthma, heart, or lung conditions. Experts advise these individuals to stay indoors or wear protective N95 masks when outside. People should consult real-time air quality data through websites like airnow.gov and PurpleAir. To maintain cleaner indoor air, it is recommended to close windows, seal gaps with blankets, run air conditioners on circulation mode, and use MERV 13 filters or room air purifiers. Short outdoor exposure typically doesn’t pose long-term harm, but symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath should be taken seriously. Proactive measures can help minimise health impacts until air quality improves.

Wildfires
Air Quality
Climate Change