Smoke from extensive wildfires in Canada is drifting southward and significantly degrading air quality in parts of the northern United States, prompting health advisories in several states. According to data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow monitoring platform, air-pollution levels in portions of South Dakota have deteriorated to the “Unhealthy” category, while adjacent states like Nebraska and Minnesota are under “Moderate” or “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” warnings.
In South Dakota, readings in areas including the Badlands National Park reached an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 167, placing them well within the “Unhealthy” zone (151–200). Other counties such as Bennett, Oglala Lakota, Meade, Pennington and Jackson were under “Moderate” quality alerts, with AQI values hovering in the low 50s.
Nebraska’s metro-region around Omaha and Carter Lake saw air-quality readings of 52 to 56 on Sunday, placing them in the “Moderate” category. Residents in these areas were advised to limit prolonged outdoor exposure, especially for those with respiratory sensitivities.
In Minnesota, wide swaths including central, east-central, northwestern and south-central zones — such as cities like Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park and regions along Interstate 35W — received “Moderate” air-quality alerts. However, parts of the northern Twin Cities metro area were flagged as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”
The AirNow service groups air-quality into categories from “Good” through “Hazardous,” providing guidance on outdoor activity levels. In “Unhealthy” conditions, the general public is urged to avoid strenuous outdoor exertion; under “Moderate” conditions, individuals especially sensitive to particle pollution may need to reduce or shorten outdoor activity.
The current situation underscores how wildfires in Canada can influence air quality hundreds of miles away, affecting states in the United States. Smoke plumes laden with particulate matter travel with prevailing winds and settle in down-wind regions, elevating health risks — particularly for those with asthma, heart conditions, young children and the elderly.
Authorities in the affected regions have issued advisories urging residents to keep windows and doors closed, use airpurifiers if available, and limit time spent outdoors when possible. Schools and outdoor-activity organisers are monitoring conditions for potential adjustments.
Experts note that though these impacts are cross-border, local preparedness and monitoring are vital. Even if the source of the smoke lies thousands of kilometres away, the local effects on lung-health, visibility and public-safety can be immediate. Residents are encouraged to check local air-quality updates via sites like AirNow and to take protective measures if levels worsen.
In summary, the air-quality fallout from Canadian wildfires is now affecting Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota — with parts of South Dakota reaching “Unhealthy” levels — and residents in those regions are being advised to curb outdoor activities, especially if they have underlying health issues.
