The range of the Air Quality Index (AQI) is from 0 to 500, with lesser values indicating cleaner air and readings above 300 being hazardous.
AQI levels are currently “unhealthy” in the central and eastern portions of Montana, northeastern Wyoming, and western South Dakota.
Nonetheless, as the smoke from the wildfires moved east, “unhealthy” levels were also reported in parts of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Montana and portions of Wyoming are still subject to air quality alerts.
Millions of additional Americans from the Midwest to the Northeast are also under air quality alerts due to wildfire pollution until at least Monday night. The entire state of Iowa is included, although according to forecasters, conditions will improve throughout the day.
Air Quality Alerts Extend From Michigan To Indiana
In the Northeast, the majority of Pennsylvania and New York state is under an air quality alert due to the smoke conditions, excluding the immediate New York City metropolitan area.
Monday will undoubtedly bring smoke from the wildfires to New York City, but it will be nothing compared to June when the sky in the Big Apple turned an eerie orange color. On June 7, dense haze from wildfires in Canada caused the worst air quality ever recorded in New York City.
Images of New York depicted bizarre scenarios reminiscent of a science-fiction film, with the sky appearing orange and ominous. Millions of individuals were compelled to remain indoors, and even Major League Baseball officials chose to postpone games.
Read also: Lightning Strike Triggers Gas Line Scare: Multiple Homes Evacuated in New Jersey
Source: New York Post
