Millions in U.S. warned to stay indoors, keep windows closed. Here’s why

Canada is currently being ravaged by wildfires, and that means that residents in the United States have been inundated by smoke once again.

Already millions across Texas, Minnesota and Michigan have been warned to keep their windows closed and to limit outdoor exposure due to ozone levels and particle pollution, per Newsweek.

And, heading into the weekend, western Pa. started to see some of the haze, per TribLive.

“While an air quality action day is not expected, some hazy skies and reduced visibility could be noticeable, especially in the southwestern part of the Commonwealth,” Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection shared on X. “These wildfires are part of a growing emergency across Canada, and the smoke is expected to drift into parts of the U.S., including Pennsylvania. Stay aware, especially if you have respiratory concerns.”

The National Weather Service in State College posted on X that the smoke “could allow for hazy skies in southern PA.”

“Minimal impacts are expected near the surface, but you may smell smoke this afternoon,” the post read.

And, according to reports, the smoke is expected to make its way into central Pa. early this week.

“A lot of it is aloft and not drifting down near the surface,” Nicholas Beaty, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College told LancasterOnline. “That is one good factor.”

Beaty told the outlet that because of air flow most of the smoke likely won’t be close enough to the ground to impact air quality. He did say it could create a “milky” appearance in the sky and vibrant sunrises.

That would be a much better scenario than what the other parts of the country have dealt with recently as the fires blaze on. Thus far, more than 1.58 million acres have reportedly burned in Canada.

The Associated Press reported this past weekend that 25,000 Canadian residents have been evacuated as nearly two dozen wildfires burn.

Heading into the weekend, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he mobilized the country’s armed forces to support air evacuations in Manitoba.