Canadian wildfires, burning 6.1 million hectares, have caused widespread evacuations and sent smoke drifting into the US, prompting air quality alerts across New York state and parts of New England. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health issued an advisory, warning of unhealthy air for sensitive groups. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is predicted to exceed 100, reaching potentially 135 in some areas. This isn't the first such alert; similar warnings were issued for Chicago earlier. The situation has also raised political concerns, with US Congress members complaining to Canada about the impact on Americans.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.