Global Courant
Smoke from wildfires in Canada blanketed the northeastern United States last week. The smoke has drifted toward Minnesota, giving St. Paul some of the worst air quality in the country. The air quality index in St. Paul, Minnesota, reached 256 on June 14, 2023. This means the air is unhealthy for everyone.
St. Paul had the worst air quality in the United States on Wednesday as smoke from massive Canadian wildfires drifted over Minnesota a week after similar smoke blanketed the northeastern U.S.
The smoke was “almost the worst” on record for the Twin Cities, the Star-Tribune reported, citing Nick Witcraft, an air quality meteorologist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The air quality reached “red” on the US government’s color-coded index, meaning it was unhealthy for everyone. The air was particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, and people with asthma and conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
CANADIAN SMOKE IN WILD FIRE DISRUPTS AIR QUALITY FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS: ‘MAY TRAVEL DEEP INTO THE LUNGS’
Karen Berg-Moberg decided to go cycling with a friend on Lake Como in St. Paul despite the sky. She was ready to interrupt their journey if necessary, but she didn’t think the smoke would slow them down.
‘I can smell it. It’s pretty nasty,’ she said. “We debated it, but thought, ‘Who cares?’ “
Smoke blankets the Minneapolis skyline after the canadian wildfires blow over, on June 14, 2023, in Minneapolis. An air quality alert has been issued for some parts of the state. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
St. Paul had an air quality index, or AQI, of 256 at 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to AirNow.gov, a website published by U.S. government agencies. The index ranges from zero to 500. The higher the number, the worse the air quality.
FIRE FIRES ARE NOT GETTER AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE. THE REAL WORKER WILL SURPRISE YOU
In July 2021, the index reached 182 in the Twin Cities, even after wildfire smoke drifted down from Canada.
Public parks officials in Minneapolis canceled events for music and movies in the park and outdoor activities on Wednesday. St. Paul canceled all youth and adult athletics.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Last week, massive fires blanketed vast Canadian forests in the northeastern United States, turning the sky yellowish-gray and warning people to stay indoors and keep windows closed.
The tiny particles in wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and can affect the heart and lungs, making it harder to breathe. Health officials say it’s important to limit outdoor activities as much as possible to avoid inhaling these particles.
