DETROIT, Mich – Canadian wildfires are triggering air quality alerts in several midwestern states. According to FOX Weather, More than 490 active wildfires are burning across Canada, and about half of those are considered out of control. The worst wildfire conditions persist in Ontario and Quebec in eastern Canada, causing smoke to flow into the U.S. and as far away as Europe.
Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario is being pulled into the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and as far south as Iowa and Nebraska.
The National Weather Service in Detroit said, “Wednesday, June 28th has been declared an Air Quality Action Day for elevated levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) due to Canadian wildfire smoke moving in. Sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion tomorrow.”
So far this year, more than 2,940 wildfires have started in Canada, burning over 7.7 million hectares (19 million acres), according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.
Several experts are pointing to climate change as the cause of the Candian wildfires. This is not true. Several of the fires have been intentionally set, while others have been caused by lightning or carelessness.
Watch this video below from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy on proper forest management:
