Wildfire smoke leaves 100 million under air quality alerts as nine Texas prison inmates die in heatwave
People living in the Midwest and Northeast were warned of a worsening air quality index throughout the week due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The US is currently battling extreme weather events, with millions of people under air quality alerts across the Midwest and Northeast while southern states including Texas are battling dangerous heatwaves.
Smoke from more than 500 wildfires burning in Canada is blanketing large areas across the country and causing “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” air quality conditions for residents.
As of early Friday morning, more than 100 million people were under air quality alerts.
Toronto had the worst air quality in the world of all major cities, followed by Washington DC, according to IQAir.
Meanwhile, almost 60 million people were under heat alerts on Wednesday as “dangerous” temperatures continued to grip southern states and parts of Mexico.
The relentless, triple-digit heatwave – exacerbated by the climate crisis – entered its third week. The severe conditions have caused 13 deaths in Texas and led to a spike in emergency room attendance across the state.
At least nine inmates – including two men in their 30s – in Texas prisons have died of heart attacks or unknown causes since the start of the sweltering heatwave.
Heat-related death toll climbing
The death toll from the extreme heat across the southern US continues to climb with 11 confirmed deaths In Webb County, Texas, and two in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
A further nine deaths in Texas prisons are suspected to be related to the heat but have not been officially confirmed by authorities.
Officials are also investigating the deaths of a postal worker in Dallas, and a hiker and his teenage stepson at Big Bend National Park, as being related to the heat.
ER visits spike in Texas as 13 people die in US South
Nearly 60 million people were under heat alerts in the United States on Wednesday as “dangerous” temperatures continued to grip southern states and parts of Mexico.
The relentless, triple-digit heatwave – exacerbated by the climate crisis – has entered its third week. The severe conditions have caused 13 deaths in Texas and led to a spike in emergency room attendance across the state.
Louise Boyle reports.
ER visits spike in Texas as 13 people die from extreme heat
A ‘dangerous’ heat dome will remain across much of the US South until the Fourth of July holiday weekend
How does wildfire smoke affect your health?
Air quality has plummeted again this week across large parts of the United States and Canada due to more than 450 wildfires burning north of the border.
Air quality ranged from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” in the Midwest with Chicago ranking number one in worst air quality in the world on Tuesday.
That accolade has now spread to Detroit and Washington, DC.
Here’s how wildfire smoke affects your health:
How wildfire smoke affects your health
Canada warns this could be country’s worst wildfire season on record and smoke might be a problem ‘all summer’
Where are the Canadian wildfires burning?
Canada.
To be more specific:
There are 480 fires burning throughout the country, according to the Canadian Interagency Fire Center, with one new fire igniting on Wednesday.
Some 237 fires are burning out-of-control and impacting provinces and territories from coast to coast. The blazes are impacting 10 provinces, two territories and national parks.
Dangerous heat persists into next week
The National Weather Service’s latest bulletin states:
Oppressive heat and humidity will continue across the Lower Mississippi Valley and Mid-South through Saturday with max heat indices exceeding 110 degrees. Sweltering temperatures into the upper 90s are expected to enter much of the Southeast on Sunday and linger through July 4th, with elevated heat indices also remaining across South Texas and the Gulf Coast.
How long will the smoke last?
According to meteorologist Matthew Cappucci, much of the US will be facing intermittent smoke all summer long — probably until October.
With the fires not being combatted and unlikely to die down during the summer months, every northwest wind will bring smoke back to the eastern US.
In pictures: Smoke smothers Washington, DC
Noel Gallagher forced to cancel US concert due to poor air quality from Canada wildfires
Noel Gallagher has cancelled his Wisconsin concert due to the poor air quality brought on by the Canadian wildfires.
Originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening (28 June) at Breese Stevens Field, the 56-year-old British rocker’s High Flying Birds and Garage concert has been axed.
Concert promoter FPC Live shared the announcement across social media on Wednesday morning, noting the decision was “based on the Public Health Madison & Dane County’s Air Quality Advisory”.
“Refunds will be available at your point of purchase. Ticketholders will receive an email with refund information,” it stated.
Inga Parkel reports:
Noel Gallagher forced to cancel Wisconsin show due to poor air quality
Blazing Canadian wildfires have resulted in appalling air quality in several US states
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments