Canada wildfire smoke triggers air-quality alerts across US cities

More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, with air-quality alerts now reaching south into multiple US states as smoke blankets cities from Toronto and Detroit to New York and New England, the BBC reported. [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0m7n427xd8o]

There are currently 858 active fires — including 30 that ignited on Thursday — and the vast majority are burning out of control, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, cited by the BBC. [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0m7n427xd8o]

Hazardous air-quality alerts were issued in Chicago, Grand Rapids, Pittsburgh and Toledo, the US Air Quality Index program said via the BBC, while IQAir ranked Detroit the worst in the world, followed by Minneapolis, Chicago and Toronto. [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0m7n427xd8o]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called it "a very serious health situation," urging residents indoors as the state activated air-quality emergency protocols with cooling centres and KN95 masks, the BBC reported. [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0m7n427xd8o]

Officials warn northwesterly winds will keep pushing smoke into northern US states into the weekend, raising concerns it could reach New Jersey, where Sunday's World Cup final is scheduled, according to the BBC. [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0m7n427xd8o]

_Source Reporters corrects factual errors as soon as they are confirmed._