Canada Wildfire Smoke Triggers Air-Quality Alerts Across Seven States

Usa Today reported. More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, with dozens out of control in western Ontario, the main source of the smoke. Air quality alerts have been issued for millions of people across all of Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the National Weather Service said.

The pattern will continue for the next several days, with only a brief break on Saturday in some locations. com said. Severe thunderstorms are expected across portions of the Ohio Valley and Lower Great Lakes into the mid-Atlantic, mainly Saturday afternoon into the evening, the Storm Prediction Center said.

Some threat of severe storms may linger into late Saturday night. Hot and humid conditions will persist across the Great Lakes and northern Plains for several days, with daily highs in the 90s to lower 100s, NOAA's Weather Prediction Center said. Two more southward plunges of smoke could begin Saturday in the northern Great Lakes, Erdman said.

By Sunday the smoke could spread as far south as the Ohio Valley and possibly reach parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Skies are expected to remain clear and smoke-free in the New York City area for the World Cup final game on Sunday in New Jersey, the National Weather Service said.

Another round of smoke could move southward through the Midwest beginning Tuesday and reach parts of the South by mid- to late next week.

People are encouraged to limit time outdoors amid the poor air quality, especially those in sensitive groups, AccuWeather said. Spending time outdoors and exercising could increase the risk of difficulty breathing, throat irritation and itchy eyes. Residents should keep pets indoors to limit their exposure to poor air quality, AccuWeather meteorologist Breanna Grill said.