Canada's first major wildfires in 2024 threaten US air quality
Wildfire smoke is already impacting some northern U.S. states.
Story at a glance
- Canada's wildfire season has started with 146 blazes.
- The fires have prompted evacuations and triggered air quality alerts in western Canada and several U.S. states.
- Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin and Michigan were among the states reporting "unhealthy" air quality Monday.
FORT NELSON, British Columbia (NewsNation) — Canada's wildfire season is off to a troubling start with more than 100 blazes burning in the nation's first major wildfires since its record season ended in October.
The 146 blazes have prompted evacuations and triggered air quality alerts in western Canada and several U.S. states, according to Axios. Authorities have warned that dry conditions would make the next 24 hours "very challenging," the report said.
Burning 'out of control'
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre said about 40 of the 146 blazes are burning "out of control."
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin and Michigan were among the states reporting "unhealthy" air quality Monday.
An intense wildfire could hit a town in western Canada on Monday, based on forecasts of strong winds that have been fueling the out-of-control blaze which has already forced the evacuation of thousands, fire experts and officials warned.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the blaze is burning just 1.2 miles northwest of Fort Nelson, which has already seen about 3,500 people evacuated after an order to leave was issued on Friday.
Air Quality alerts activated
Air quality alerts have been issued in the region, spanning from B.C. to Manitoba, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an alert for the entire state until noon Monday, Axios reported.
In 2023, Canada witnessed a record number of wildfires that also caused choking smoke in parts of the U.S. and forced more than 250,000 Canadians to evacuate their communities. There were no civilian casualties, but at least four firefighters died while battling the blazes.
The Canadian government released updated projections for the 2024 wildfire season Friday, saying, "Drought conditions are expected to persist in high-risk regions in May."
Authorities fear this year could be as devastating as last year due to forecasted above-normal temperatures for spring and summer. However, the Canadian government has promised to keep the public informed and do what it can to prevent wildfires from spreading.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.