As smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts to the US, several states under air quality alerts

Drifting smoke, air quality concerns prompting beach closures, warnings about reduced visibility and calls to stay indoors.

Updated: 12:11 AM EDT Jun 28, 2023

Nouran Salahieh and Joe Sutton, CNN

Over 80 million people from the Midwest to the East Coast are under air quality alerts as smoke from the Canadian wildfires sweep across the U.S. border Tuesday, prompting beach closures, warnings about reduced visibility and calls to stay indoors.Canada is seeing its worst fire season on record with hundreds of wildfires raging across the country – more than 200 of them burning "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The wildfires have led to the highest emissions on record for the country, according to a Tuesday report from Copernicus.Video above: The kind of air conditioner filter you need to filter smoke from your homeAs smoke crosses into the U.S., air quality alerts have been issued for the entire states of Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Delaware and Maryland as well are portions of Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia, according to the National Weather Service. Residents are being advised to stay indoors with their air conditioning running or wear N95 masks if they have to be outside.Chicago had the worst air quality in the world Tuesday evening, according to IQAir. The city's Air Quality Index measured at 193 – a high reading designated as "unhealthy."The city has asked all residents – especially those with heart or lung disease, older adults, pregnant people and young children – to avoid outdoor activities and protect themselves from exposure. Chicago Public Schools and camps are also moving activities indoors, city officials said in a news release.Video below: Homemade air purifier can protect against wildfire smoke inside at homeAbout 11 miles away, Evanston, Illinois, is closing all swimming beaches and canceling a concert Tuesday due to the poor air quality, the city said on Facebook, asking residents to limit outdoor exposure through Wednesday. Across the state line in Michigan, the Mackinac Bridge stood covered with smoke Tuesday. Drivers were asked to drive slow and with caution due to the reduced visibility on the bridge. Detroit, Michigan, had the second worst air quality in the world Tuesday evening, with an "unhealthy" Air Quality Index is at 174, according to IQAir.High levels of fine particulate in the air in Michigan could become unhealthy or hazardous for all residents at some points – not just sensitive groups, the state's health department warned. "The most protective option when air is unhealthy for you is to stay indoors with air conditioning, reduce strenuous activities and limit outdoor activities. If you have to be outside, N95 masks offer enhanced protection when used according to product instructions," the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said.Indianapolis drivers were also warned about reduced visibility, with the National Weather Service saying to "be prepared for haze that could suddenly reduce visibilities" in some areas Tuesday and Wednesday.Video below: Canada's provinces, territories sign on to national climate adaptation strategyNew York is also expected to see unhealthy levels of smoke return Wednesday and Thursday to some areas – about three weeks after New York City topped the list of the world's worst air pollution as smoke from the Canadian wildfires wafted south, turning skies orange. "New Yorkers should be prepared for elevated levels of fine particulate pollution caused by smoke on Wednesday and Thursday," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. "Current projections show the highest concentrations of smoke will slowly push east across the eastern half of New York State during the day Thursday, extending across much of the state."In Ohio, a spokesperson for the Cleveland's mayor's office said "what happened in NY a few weeks ago and Chicago today may happen here in Cleveland tomorrow."The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency issued an air quality advisory, forecasting fine particulate levels in the "Unhealthy" Air Quality Index range.Wildfire smoke carries particulate matter, or PM2.5 – a tiny but dangerous pollutant that, when inhaled, can travel deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The particulate matter has been linked to a number of health problems including asthma, heart disease and other respiratory illnesses.

LOS ANGELES — The weather at this Sunday’s Super Bowl game is expected to be unseasonably hot.

A rare wintertime heat advisory was issued for California.

Temperatures during game time could reach 90 degrees Sunday.

High temperatures in Los Angeles during this time of year are usually in the mid-60s.

Players and spectators likely won’t feel the full force of the heat inside SoFi Stadium because the indoor-outdoor arena is able to maintain a controlled temperature.

Still, the National Weather Service is advising people to take precautions, including drinking plenty of water and wearing lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.

The high temperatures are expected to set a record for the warmest day ever on which the big game has been played.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — The remnants of tropical storm Fred have closed roads and flooded basements in parts of upstate New York, and forecasters warn more flooding is possible.

As much as 4 inches of rain fell early Thursday in parts of western and central New York and swelled creeks and rivers.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service said that Fred could bring up to 5 inches of rain across eastern New York to New England.

The agency said flash flood watches were in effect for parts of New York and central New England.

"The flood risk associated with Fred is expected to diminish by early Friday," the NWS said in an update at 10 a.m. CT.

About 10 families evacuated their homes in the rural town of Western in central New York as waters rose.

Tropical Depression Fred blew into the northeastern U.S. on Wednesday after closing highways and cutting power to thousands in the South.

According to the Associated Press, roads were being barricaded by the Cayuga County sheriff's office near Finger Lakes due to flooded roads getting washed out, warning drivers to avoid crossing water-covered roads.

The AP reported that nearly 7,000 customers scattered across the state were without power Thursday morning, with central New York seeing the most.

According to the AP, Hudson Valley was issued a tornado warning, but it's unclear if a tornado touched down.