Wildfire Smoke From Canada Blankets Major US Cities, Triggers Air Quality Alerts for 100 Million

Haze from blazes in central Canada and northern Minnesota reaches Washington, New York and the Midwest as Trump threatens Canada with tariffs

Smoke from wildfires burning in central Canada and northern Minnesota billowed into major U.S. metropolitan areas across the Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Friday, triggering air quality alerts for more than 100 million people, the Washington Examiner reported. In Washington, D.C., air quality reached a Code Purple level, with haze obscuring views of the city, according to the Examiner.

The plumes reached major U.S. cities and raised concern about potential effects on outdoor events this weekend, including the World Cup final, Al Jazeera reported. PBS NewsHour reported that the smoke has left large swaths of the country with unsafe air quality.

President Trump threatened Canada with steeper tariff costs over the wildfire smoke, Al Jazeera reported, noting that the president has frequently pushed unsubstantiated claims blaming the mismanagement of rival politicians for large wildfires.

The smoke has also disrupted sports schedules in the United States. Major League Baseball postponed a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland because of the poor air quality, and other teams closed retractable roofs to protect players and fans.

— Compiled from reporting by Al Jazeera, the Washington Examiner and PBS NewsHour.