More than 800 wildfires remain active across Canada, significantly worsening air quality in several parts of the country and across the northern United States.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), 857 wildfires are currently burning, including 23 new fires reported on Thursday. Most of the blazes remain out of control.
Dense wildfire smoke, primarily originating from northwestern Ontario, has blanketed cities such as Thunder Bay and Toronto, spreading across the Great Lakes region and reaching New York.
U.S. authorities have issued air quality alerts in several states, urging residents to limit outdoor activities. Parts of Michigan and Minnesota have recorded hazardous air quality levels.
According to IQAir, Detroit currently has the worst air quality in the world, followed by Minneapolis and Toronto.
Meteorologists forecast rain and thunderstorms in Ontario over the coming days, but the expected precipitation is unlikely to be sufficient to significantly slow the fires. Meanwhile, northwesterly winds are expected to continue carrying smoke into the northern United States throughout the weekend.
There are also concerns that the smoke could reach New Jersey, where the FIFA World Cup Final is scheduled to take place. Air quality is expected to improve gradually only after winds shift early next week.
The wildfires have forced hundreds of residents from Indigenous communities in northern Ontario to evacuate, while significant damage to homes and buildings has been reported.
In a separate incident, a freight train was surrounded by flames in Ontario. The Canadian National Railway confirmed that all crew members were safely evacuated without injuries, and rail operations in the affected area have been temporarily suspended.
