Could This Wildfire Smoke Be The New Normal For Minnesota Summers?

What's causing all of this smoke this summer? There have been several days when it's been unhealthy to even be outside because the air quality is so poor from the Canadian wildfire smoke. We've had cancelled soccer games, cancelled outdoor events, and burning eyes. I don't remember this happening as a kid. What's behind all of this?

Canadian Wildfires + Wind Patterns

We first really noticed the smoky conditions in the summer of 2023 here in Northern Minnesota. That was a really bad year for wildfires in Canada, but most of them were further west. This year, more of the wildfires are in the central Canadian provinces, and wind is carrying the smoke into our region more frequently.

In 2023, 5% of Canada's total forest area burned. That's insane.

Experts blame the warming climate.

Climatologists say that the wildfires can be linked to our warming climate. The summers are getting hotter, and that's drying out the boreal forest in Canada. The air actually gets "thirstier" in the summer, and that causes the plants and vegetation to emit more water vapor. They dry out and are more susceptible to fire. 50% of the fires that start can be attributed to lightning strikes.

Northern Places Like Canada Are Warming Faster

Northern high-latitude places like Canada are warming at a faster rate than the rest of the world. That's leading to longer fire seasons, more severe fires, and more frequent fires.

Vicious cycle of wildfires and climate change.

The worst part is that the wildfire smoke contributes to the warming climate. Carbon emissions from fires increase as larger areas burn. The increase in carbon emissions fuels climate change and drives the hotter temperatures. Read more about this Fire and the Climate Feedback Loop from the World Resources Institute.