Wildfires and other fire incidents

[weatheriscool]

Chicago has the worst air quality in the world due to Canadian wildfire smoke

BY CAITLIN O'KANE
UPDATED ON: JUNE 27, 2023 / 4:02 PM / CBS NEWS

Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit had some of the worst air quality in the world Tuesday as wildfire smoke from Quebec, Canada, seeps into the Midwest. The raging fires have been impacting parts of the U.S. since earlier this month, and all three cities hit the purple zone of the AQI, or air quality index. ... At one point on Tuesday, Chicago was at level 228, veering into the purple or "very unhealthy" zone, and nearby Milwaukee was at level 221, according to AirNow, a government site that measures air quality.

Maps that depict the current air quality in the U.S. show Illinois, Wisconsin and parts of surrounding states like Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan are in the red or "unhealthy" zone and some people may experience health effects, according to AirNow.

The East Coast of the U.S., which suffered dangerous air quality from the Canadian wildfires earlier this month, now appears mostly clear, but some areas are in the yellow or "moderate" zone, which means the air quality is acceptable but could pose a risk for some people.

According to IQ Air, which monitors the air quality index around the world, major midwestern cities Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit had some of the worst air quality in the world, with Dubai as well as Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan, also high on the list. Chicago topped the list at times Tuesday.

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Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chicago-wo ... e-27-2023/

[wjfox]

[wjfox]

[Powers]

https://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/interactive-map
https://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/maps/fw

[weatheriscool]

Smoke from Canadian wildfires creates unhealthy conditions from Montana to Ohio
Source: AP

Published 10:56 AM CDT, July 16, 2023

CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency posted air quality alerts for several states stretching from Montana to Ohio on Sunday because of smoke blowing in from Canadian wildfires.

“Air Quality alerts are in place for much of the Great Lakes, Midwest, and northern High Plains,” the National Weather Service said. “This is due to the lingering thick concentration of Canadian wildfire smoke over these regions. While the concentration of smoke in the atmosphere should begin to wain by Monday, there is still enough smoke to support unhealthy air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of these regions into the start of the upcoming week.”

The U.S. EPA’s AirNow air quality page rated the air in Chicago as “unhealthy” as of 9 a.m. CDT Sunday. And in Michigan, state environmental officials said the air “is unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advised people in the state to check the Air Quality Index regularly to decide if they should be participating in outdoor activities.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/air-quality- ... 2a998abde9

[wjfox]

Greece fires: Thousands flee homes and hotels on Rhodes as fires spread

12 minutes ago

Thousands of people have been evacuated from homes and hotels on the island of Rhodes, according to Greece's fire service.

Private boats have joined the Greek coastguard in helping to pick up people from beaches on the east of the island.

Greek navy vessels are also reported to be heading to the area, which is popular with tourists.

Greece's deputy fire chief said the fires on Rhodes are the most difficult his service is currently facing.

No injuries have been reported, according to the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection in Greece.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66279520

[weatheriscool]

[weatheriscool]

Greek authorities evacuate some 19,000 people as wildfire blazes on the island of Rhodes
Source: AP

By DEMETRIS NELLAS
Published 4:14 AM CDT, July 23, 2023

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Some 19,000 people have been evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires continued burning for a sixth day on three fronts, Greek authorities said on Sunday.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was “the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country.”

Local police said that 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels. Six people were briefly hospitalized with respiratory problems and were later released. A person who fell and broke their leg during a hotel evacuation and a pregnant woman remain hospitalized, the latter in good condition, authorities say.

Package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 have canceled flights to Rhodes. Jet2 said it was canceling five flights due to leave for Rhodes on Sunday. It said it would fly the five planes to Rhodes empty to bring back customers on the island. TUI said it was canceling all its flights to the island until at least Tuesday.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-rho ... 2afa7fafd1

[wjfox]

[raklian]

Looks like the right wingtip grazed the treetops.