A recent outbreak of wildfires in western Ontario, Canada and Minnesota sent thick plumes of smoke toward the Great Lakes and Northeast on Thursday, leading to extremely hazardous air quality and possibly the orange skies reminiscent of the Martian skies that blanketed New York City in June 2023.
A recent outbreak of wildfires in western Ontario, Canada and Minnesota sent thick plumes of smoke toward the Great Lakes and Northeast on Thursday, leading to extremely hazardous air quality and possibly the orange skies reminiscent of the Martian skies that blanketed New York City in June 2023.
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Thirty-two wildfires were burning across much of western Ontario on Monday, with 46 wildfires burning out of control across the province, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
Several more fires ignited and intensified across northern Minnesota Monday as the heat dome continued to push record temperatures across the Northern Plains.
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The Camp County Fire in Lake County grew beyond containment Monday, prompting local evacuations.
Air Quality Alerts
(Weather FOX)
The state Pollution Control Agency has issued air quality warnings for parts of northeastern Minnesota, including Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely and the Grand Portage Tribal Nation, urging people to avoid prolonged outdoor activities.
Dangerous wildfire smoke increases over the Great Lakes and Northeast Wednesday
A major change in wind direction over the next 24 to 36 hours will cause heavy concentrations of wildfire smoke to pour into the Lower 48, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
This smoke will likely create milky, hazy skies over the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes starting Wednesday morning.
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Multiple wildfires burn in western Ontario, Canada, on Monday, July 13, 2026, causing plumes of smoke to be visible on satellite.
(Weather FOX / Weather FOX)
The greatest deterioration in air quality is expected where the thickest smoke is concentrated near the ground.
“Under the thickest bands of the plume, reduced visibility is possible and air quality is likely to become very unhealthy if the latest computer forecast models prove correct,” the FOX Forecast Center said.
“Although most of the smoke is forecast to remain high in the atmosphere, there is a growing signal that there may be a 6-8 hour window of smoke close to the ground.”
Forest fire smoke forecast
(Weather FOX)
The smoke plume is expected to move toward the Interstate 95 corridor in the northeast throughout the day Wednesday, reaching places like Boston, New York and Philadelphia by Wednesday evening.
DANGEROUS HEAT RETURNS TO THE NORTHEAST BY THE MILLIONS ALONG THE I-95 CORRIDOR ASSOCIATED WITH STRONG TEMPERATURES
Air quality concerns will worsen Wednesday as heat waves intensify across the Northeast, bringing near-record temperatures across the region.
FILE – This image shows a foggy sky over New York City as wildfire smoke from Canada rises into the U.S. on Aug. 4, 2025.
(Weather FOX)
“The overall severity of the smoke remains unclear, but there are some early indications that if we take computer forecast models at face value, smoke concentrations will be comparable to the infamous June 2023 event,” the FOX Forecast Center said.