Smoke from Canadian wildfires expected to reach Washington, D.C. by Thursday

Wildfires in Canada are projected to send smoke clouds to Washington, D.C., potentially impacting air quality levels as soon as Thursday. Meteorologists indicated that the D.C. area and other regions in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast could experience smoky conditions starting Wednesday, July 15. Chief meteorologist Tucker Barnes from FOX 5 noted a light to moderate impact from the wildfires on Wednesday. The wildfires are primarily occurring in Ontario, Canada, and parts of Minnesota, with smoke already affecting cities in the Midwest and Northeast. Air quality alerts have been issued in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, warning residents of poor air quality. Michigan's environmental agency has issued a statewide air quality alert for Wednesday and Thursday, while parts of Minnesota have been under alert since Tuesday. New York City and central New York have also issued warnings due to the smoke. In New England, cities have reported changes in sky color due to the smoke. The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, advised that hazy skies are expected before a cold front arrives. As of Wednesday, Washington, D.C., had a moderate air quality index of 64, with a forecast high temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit. On Thursday, air quality is expected to reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, with an air quality index forecast of 108.