Wildfire smoke updates: CDC issues health alert on wildfire smoke exposure

The smoke is forecast to dissipate over the weekend.

ByKenton Gewecke, Max Golembo, Melissa Griffin, Morgan Winsor, Emily Shapiro, and Meredith Deliso

Last Updated: June 30, 2023, 9:56 PM EDT

Millions of Americans are on alert for unhealthy air quality as smoke from wildfires in neighboring Canada drifts to the United States.

Wildfires have burned a record of 20 million acres across Canada so far this year, with no end in sight. There are currently 500 active wildfires throughout the country and more than 250 have been deemed out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. The smoke has been making its way to the U.S. for over a month.

Latest headlines:

Jun 30, 2023, 3:41 PM EDT
19 states under air quality alerts
Jun 30, 2023, 3:10 PM EDT
CDC issues health alert on wildfire smoke exposure
Jun 29, 2023, 1:58 PM EDT
Pittsburgh air quality 'very unhealthy,' MLB game delayed
Jun 28, 2023, 10:33 AM EDT
How to stay safe from wildfire smoke amid reduced air quality

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.

Jun 30, 2023, 3:10 PM EDT

CDC issues health alert on wildfire smoke exposure

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued a health alert on wildfire smoke exposure.

People are urged to watch out for symptoms including: headache, eye irritation, trouble breathing, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations and fatigue.

People walk over the Brooklyn Bridge as smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the area on June 30, 2023 in New York City.
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

The smoke on Friday is stretching from the eastern Great Lakes to the Interstate 95 travel corridor and down to parts of the Southeast.

The Air Quality Index in New York City hit 169 Thursday afternoon, which falls under the "unhealthy" category. Any number over 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the Empire State Building on June 30, 2023 in New York City.
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the Statue of Liberty on June 30, 2023 in New York City.
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Jun 30, 2023, 6:03 AM EDT

20 US states under air quality alerts as wildfire smoke lingers in East for another day

At least 20 U.S. states are under air quality alerts on Friday morning as Canadian wildfire smoke lingers in the East for another day before it's forecast to dissipate over the weekend.

At least 20 U.S. states were under air quality alerts on the morning of June 30, 2023, due to smoke from wildfires in neighboring Canada.
ABC News

The thickest smoke on Friday will stretch from the eastern Great Lakes to the Interstate 95 travel corridor and down to parts of the Southeast.

The thickest smoke from Canadian wildfires affecting skies over the United States is forecast to stretch from the eastern Great Lakes to the Interstate 95 travel corridor and down to parts of the Southeast on June 30, 2023.
ABC News

Skies will be clearer by Saturday, but some light haze could still hang over the East Coast.

Skies over the United States will be clearer by July 1, 2023, but some light haze from Canadian wildfire smoke could still hang over the East Coast.
ABC News

Jun 29, 2023, 3:47 PM EDT

Air quality alerts in 21 states

Air quality alerts are in effect in 21 states Thursday afternoon as the Canadian wildfire smoke infiltrates the Midwest, Northeast and parts of the South.

Wildfire smoke covers the ferris wheel on Navy Pier on June 28, 2023 in Chicago.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Jun 29, 2023, 1:58 PM EDT

Pittsburgh air quality 'very unhealthy,' MLB game delayed

The Air Quality Index in Pittsburgh climbed to 231 Thursday afternoon, which falls under the "very unhealthy" category. Any number over 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Thursday afternoon's MLB game in Pittsburgh between the Pirates and San Diego Padres was delayed 45 minutes due to the poor air quality, according to The Associated Press.