Wildfire Smoke Prompts Air Quality Alerts Across US Cities

Why it matters locally: While not directly impacted by current air quality alerts, similar large-scale atmospheric events in the future could affect South Dakota, particularly given its proximity to the Northern Plains which have seen smoke drift in previous seasons.

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Smoke from over 800 wildfires burning in Canada has drifted across North America, prompting air quality alerts in numerous cities. The affected areas include major urban centers such as Toronto and New York, as well as portions of the US Midwest and Great Lakes region. The widespread smoke results from ongoing fire activity across Canadian provinces. This atmospheric condition has led to hazy skies and health advisories for vulnerable populations in the impacted areas.