When Will the Wildfire Smoke Clear? Here's What to Expect This Week

Wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota sent thick smoke drifting over a large part of the United States on Wednesday. The smoky haze turned skies an eerie orange color in many places. Experts say the smoke is not going away quickly — it could actually get worse before it gets better. Here is what forecasters expect for the rest of the week.

On Wednesday, the smoke was thickest near Buffalo, New York, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and eastern Minnesota. Strong winds high in the atmosphere carried the smoke from more than 100 fires burning in Canada. Nexstar meteorologist Darrius Stringer said those winds would keep pushing smoke south and east into Thursday and early Friday.

By Thursday morning, dense smoke is expected in New York, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Minneapolis could see light to moderate smoke. Stringer pointed to major cities like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Philadelphia as places that would still face 'pretty extensively deep smoke.'

On Friday, the smoke is likely to spread even further south into the Midwest, Appalachia, and along the East Coast. At the same time, conditions may begin to improve a little further north. Still, many Americans will be breathing smoky air for at least another day or two.

The first sign of relief may come on Saturday. Forecasters say there is a chance of storms and rain in the Northeast and upper Midwest that day. If those storms happen, the rain could help wash the smoke out of the air. 'Maybe by Saturday into Sunday, we start to see those conditions improve,' Stringer said, 'but the smoke will continue to linger around for the next several days.'

By Sunday, most states are expected to see cleaner air. The worst air quality will likely remain near the parts of Minnesota that border Canada. But officials in Minnesota warned that the fires there could burn for months. Patty Thielen, director of the state Department of Natural Resources, said, 'It could well be we're having significant fires throughout the summer until we have snow.'

Smoky air mixed with extreme heat on Wednesday made conditions especially dangerous outdoors. Tyler Hasenstein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, Minnesota, said the two problems together are very unhealthy. His advice was simple: stay inside as much as possible to protect yourself.

Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles called fine particulate matter that can get deep into your lungs. Breathing them in can cause coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, and tiredness. These particles are especially harmful for children and people who already have heart or lung conditions. If you must go outside, wear an N95 mask and keep windows closed indoors to help keep your air cleaner.