Minnesota Wildfire Forces Evacuations as Hazardous Smoke Spreads Into the US

A rash of wildfires burning in northern Minnesota and Ontario, Canada, has triggered evacuations in the region. Here is a look at these fires and how they are impacting air quality thousands of miles away.

Over a Dozen Wildfires Prompt Evacuations in Northern Minnesota

Evacuations are underway in portions of Minnesota and Canada as wildfires pop up across the region. The evacuations are concentrated near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Superior National Forest had confirmed 17 active wildfires as of Tuesday. Two of these fires have jumped the border into Canada. The Camp Fire is spreading quickly in a zone northeast of Ely, Minnesota, thanks to the dry and unseasonably hot weather.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office expanded evacuation orders on Tuesday, issuing a "GO" warning near the Cloquet Line north of the community of Ely. Deputies were going door-to-door to tell residents to leave immediately. At least 17 people were rescued as the flames spread quickly.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is calling on the state's National Guard troops to help with the evacuation efforts. No injuries have been reported as a result of the fires.

Air Quality Levels Plummet

People thousands of miles away from the wildfires are under the gun for deteriorating air quality conditions as the smoke spreads toward the Great Lakes and the Northeast. Unhealthy and hazardous air quality alerts were issued on Wednesday morning across northern Minnesota and into Ontario. Duluth, Minnesota, was one city that was under hazardous conditions as defined by the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The densest smoke is expected to reach the northeastern Great Lakes and southern New England as the day progresses on Wednesday. Cities such as Detroit, Buffalo, and Boston will be in the line of fire for this plume of smoke and haze. Residents of New York City should expect to experience the hazy conditions by Wednesday evening.

Forecasters are warning that this corner of the country will likely see smoky skies through at least Thursday. The smoke will exacerbate the extreme heat and high humidity already being felt across the northern tier of the U.S. This hot, humid, and smoky weather pattern will pose problems to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children, and those with respiratory ailments.

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