Canada Wildfires Prompt Mass Evacuations and U.S. Air Alerts

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Over 21,000 people are fleeing their homes as massive wildfires rage across Manitoba – and the dangerous smoke is now crossing the border.

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"This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory," warns Premier Wab Kinew as the province declares a state of emergency.

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Nearly 1,400 fires are currently burning across Canada, consuming an area larger than Connecticut, – and tragically claiming two lives in Lac du Bonnet.

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The smoke isn't staying in Canada – it's triggering air quality alerts across Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and beyond.

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Why is wildfire smoke so dangerous? Those tiny PM2.5 particles can slip past your body's defenses, penetrating deep into your lungs and even entering your bloodstream.

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Health risks don't end when the smoke clears – new research shows hospital visits for heart and lung problems remain elevated for months after exposure.

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Who's most at risk? Children, elderly people, pregnant women, and those with existing heart or lung conditions need to take extra precautions.

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Why are these fires so intense? Temperatures in Manitoba measured 22 to 24.3 degrees Celsius above average – creating perfect conditions for rapid fire spread.

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The Canadian government has mobilized military forces for evacuations, particularly focusing on remote Indigenous communities at highest risk.

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What can you do? Stay indoors with windows closed, use HEPA air purifiers, limit outdoor activities, and wear N95 masks if you must go outside.

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