More than 150 active fires burning in the Canadian province of Quebec have forced thousands of evacuations and lowered air quality in the United States, officials said.
According to the latest report from the provincial government on June 5, 152 fires are currently active. There have been 422 fires so far this year affecting 226,084 hectares, while in a typical year, only 247 hectares, a little less than a square mile, are affected by fire by June 5.
Satellite imagery shared by the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University shows smoke from the wildfires pushing south into the U.S. Midwest and Northeast on Monday.
Air quality warnings were issued in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Environment Canada on Monday issued several air quality and smog warnings across Quebec on Monday, urging residents in some areas to wear respirators.
High temperatures and dry conditions have contributed to an intense start to the wildfire season in central Canada, including the Alberta province.
