More than 100 forests are on fire in Canada. Dense smoke from the fire has engulfed large areas of America’s Midwest and Northeast. Thousands of tourists and campers have been ordered to evacuate immediately in Minnesota’s famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This area is spread over about 11 lakh acres, which is as big as the state of Delaware.
Fires started by lightning more than a week ago are spreading rapidly in northern Minnesota. According to rangers, 6,000 to 10,000 people were present in this vast forest area. By Wednesday, about 90% of the people had been evacuated. There is no news of any casualty or serious injury yet.
Evacuating the people present in the forest safely is a difficult task, because people are crossing the lakes in canoes and carrying the boats on their shoulders. The area has been completely closed.
The smoke spread to America
More than 100 wildfires are active in Canada. The winds have blown the smoke towards the south-east. Skies have turned hazy and orange in states like Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York and Maine. At many places the smoke is so dense that distant things are not visible.
A local from Minnesota) said that as soon as she went outside, everything started smelling like a campfire, her eyes started watering and asthma patients had to use inhalers. Temperatures in Minneapolis are expected to reach 96 degrees Fahrenheit (about 36°C), but the smoke will make it difficult to open windows.
Very poor air quality
Fine particles (PM2.5) emitted from forest fires are dissolving in the air. It is more dangerous for children, the elderly and people with heart-lung disease. Problems like shortness of breath, cough, dizziness and fatigue may occur.
Officials have advised to stay indoors as much as possible and wear an N95 mask if it is necessary to go out. Run air purifiers or air conditioners at home and keep windows closed
heat and drought are increasing the difficulty
According to experts, prolonged drought and record low snowfall have left the forests very dry. This perfect storm of heat and drought is helping the fires spread rapidly. Due to climate change, fires are becoming more frequent and more intense than ever before. Apart from Minnesota, big fires are also burning in about 15 states of America.
Smoke and bad air conditions may increase further till Thursday. Alert continues in some places till Friday. Fires in Minnesota can burn all summer long until the snow falls. Officials say some fires will be allowed to burn in a controlled manner, but the safety of people and property comes first. This incident shows that forest fires are no longer just a local problem. Their impact extends hundreds of miles and can have serious effects on health.
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