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Several cities across the United States have again been placed on air quality alerts as smoke from the wildfires still raging in Canada settles in the American Midwest.

Warnings were issued Wednesday in most areas, stretching along the eastern seaboard of the United States. The warning was issued as far south as Georgia and Alabama, three weeks after smoke from the Canadian fires initially enveloped cities across the United States and turned skies orange in places.

The hardest-hit cities on Wednesday were Detroit, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Chicago, Illinois, all of which rank among the top four cities with the worst air quality in the world, according to IQ AIR, a Swiss air quality technology company and monitor. Toronto, Canada, is ranked sixth on the list.

Read related news about wildfires in Canada;

For its part, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has assessed a stretch that includes Madison, Wisconsin; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Pittsburgh, Pa., looked “seriously unhealthy” — the second most serious.

Meanwhile, moderately poor air quality extended to the northern edge of Florida, according to the EPA’s real-time tracker. A patch near Detroit was called “dangerous” on Wednesday.

What a difference a day makes! Here is a view of downtown Pittsburgh at this time yesterday vs. This morning.

🚨 The air quality warning remains in effect for Western PA until midnight tonight. #pawx

📷Webcam: https://t.co/GcRoLWXREe pic.twitter.com/nPFLNfv9gM

—NWS Pittsburgh (@NWS Pittsburgh) June 28, 2023

In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson is advising young people, the elderly and residents with health issues to spend more time indoors while dangerous conditions persist.

He promised “swift action to ensure vulnerable people have the resources they need to protect themselves and their families.”

New York officials have warned that while the worst air quality is currently in the western part of the state, conditions could get worse.

We have seen poor air quality in areas of Western New York, Central New York and Eastern Lake Ontario.

If you are going out for the day, especially if you are part of a vulnerable group, check the latest air quality information and take steps to protect yourself. pic.twitter.com/FZO5Qc6xWW

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 28, 2023

Poor air quality can affect people differently, so individuals should assess their own susceptibility and adapt accordingly,” the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a statement. communicated.

While air quality remained moderate in the largest city in the United States on Wednesday, “wind patterns are likely to change rapidly without notice,” the department said.

Canada is grappling with the start of its worst fire season in its history, which has burned 6.5 million hectares (16 million acres) before the hottest months of the year.