Wildfires expose millions in Midwest, Northeast to dangerous smoke
Heavy smoke from several large wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota is expected to engulf large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week.
Updated on: July 15, 2026 / 7:15 AM EDT / CBS/AP
Minnesota officials issued an air quality alert from Tuesday through Friday for areas including the Twin Cities metro area, Alexandria and Two Harbors, with very heavy smoke expected across the state's northeastern corner as large wildfires spread. Air quality levels in Two Harbors, the Tribal Nation of Grand Portage and other regions in northeast Minnesota were expected to reach hazardous levels, making it unsafe for everyone. The wildfires in northern Minnesota prompted evacuation orders Tuesday for some residents.
Officials in Michigan and Wisconsin also warned residents about air quality issues that could last for days. The entire state of Michigan will be under an air quality alert on Wednesday due to particulate pollution from the Canadian wildfire smoke, the state's environmental agency said. High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children and people with heart or lung conditions.
A large plume of smoke from the fires unexpectedly poured into the Boston area Tuesday and the skies morphed from a milky white to an ominous brown/yellow, CBS News Boston reported .
In parts of Maine, residents were reporting a yellowish and brownish color in the sky. "There is plenty of smoke upstream, so expect periods of hazy skies over the next day before the cold front pushes through," the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, said on social media Tuesday.