What to know about the Canadian and US wildfires and their impact
Wildfires across Canada are causing hazardous air quality levels in major cities across Canada and the United States. Experts attribute the surge in fire activity to record-breaking heat and below-average rainfall.
Why it matters
The increasing frequency of wildfires and resulting smoke pollution poses significant public health risks and highlights the growing impact of climate change on urban environments.
Image source, Cole Burston/ AFP/Getty Images Image caption, Wildfire smoke is expected to continue affecting air quality in Toronto and US cities throughout the week
Cities across north-eastern Canada and the US are suffering from intense smoke brought on by wildfires burning across Ontario and Minnesota.
Residents in New York, Boston and Toronto have been encouraged to avoid "strenuous activity" over potential health impacts caused by the pollution.
Canada wildfires leave train 'encased in flames' as smoke drifts towards US
Published 1 day ago Where are the wildfires and how did they start? There are currently 858 wildfires actively burning across Canada – nearly 200 of those in Ontario - according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
Along the northern edge of Minnesota there are 17 fires that are still burning and an emergency declaration is in place to help mobilise suppression efforts.
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