Canadian Wildfires Send Smoke into Midwest and Northeast; Air Quality Alerts Issued

More than 830 wildfires burned across Canada on Wednesday, forcing mandatory evacuations and carrying smoke from the largest fires in west-central Ontario into the upper Midwest and Northeast. More than a dozen fires also burned in northern Minnesota. Air quality monitors recorded unhealthy levels in New York City, the Eastern Lake Ontario region, Central New York, and parts of Western New York.

Heavy smoke hung over Duluth, Minnesota, and Marquette, Michigan, on Wednesday morning, while extreme smoke covered northern Wisconsin. Additional plumes crossed New York state and New England, reaching New York City and Boston later in the day. Air quality monitors recorded unhealthy levels in parts of New York City, which officials attributed to Canadian wildfire smoke.

He said poor air quality affects everyone but is especially concerning for people with heart or lung conditions, older adults, pregnant residents, and children. The mayor urged residents to limit outdoor activities and remain indoors in air-conditioned spaces, and the city offered free masks.

Air quality alerts remained in place from Minnesota to New York City, including all of Wisconsin and Michigan.

Temperatures in parts of the Northeast and upper Midwest were expected to reach the high 90s to triple digits on Wednesday and Thursday. In Texas, flash flooding continued in Hill Country after 6 to 16 inches of rain fell earlier in the week, with another 6 to 12 inches expected in parts of South-Central Texas and up to 20 inches possible in some areas.

Witnesses reported a tornado near San Antonio on Wednesday morning with no immediate reports of damage.

An extreme heat warning was issued for the Los Angeles area on Wednesday and is expected to remain in effect until Thursday night. High temperatures in Los Angeles and Orange counties were forecast at 96 degrees on Wednesday.