Smoke from devastating wildfires in Canada has traveled across the Atlantic Ocean, reaching Europe. The EU's Copernicus Earth observation program reports that more smoke clouds are expected, potentially causing hazy days and striking reddish-orange sunsets. However, significant impacts on ground-level air quality in Europe are unlikely as the smoke remains mostly in the upper atmosphere. Simultaneously, large wildfires in Russia have also been affecting air quality, with smoke drifting towards China and northern Japan.
In North America, the situation is more severe. The smoke has notably impacted the Upper Midwest, prompting air quality alerts in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Authorities have advised vulnerable populations to stay indoors. In Massachusetts, similar warnings have been issued, with potential air quality issues due to the smoke. Meanwhile, thousands in Canada have been evacuated as the country braces for more intense fire seasons amid ongoing drought conditions. The widespread effects of these fires highlight the global reach of regional environmental crises and their ability to affect air quality across continents.
