Minnesota, 3 August (H.S.): Smoke from Canadian wildfires affected several Midwestern states over the weekend, triggering air quality warnings for Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, eastern Nebraska, and parts of Indiana and Illinois. People with heart or lung diseases, children, the elderly, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to these unhealthy air conditions.

Environmental officials predict that smoky skies and reduced visibility will persist into Sunday. Minneapolis has been identified by the air quality monitoring database IQAir as having some of the worst air pollution globally. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach unhealthy levels in much of Minnesota, classified as red, indicating hazardous air quality.

The AQI categorizes pollution from “good” to “hazardous,” based on a scale with a single number to convey air quality levels. Sensitive groups may face ongoing risks through Monday. Health officials advise those with respiratory issues to limit exposure to smoke, refrain from strenuous activities, avoid burning materials that could worsen pollution, and keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke infiltration.

The situation may improve temporarily before smoke potentially reaches areas as far south as Tennessee and Missouri. Parts of Minnesota have already reported AQI levels exceeding 150, categorized as unhealthy for everyone.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar