As communities battle out-of-control fires in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, thousands of residents — including those in surrounding regions — are being exposed to wildfire smoke, increasing their risk for short- and long-term health effects.

To date, more than 25,000 people have been forced to evacuate from the three provinces. Over two million hectares have burned so far this wildfire season, which typically runs from May to September.

The smoke plumes are heaviest above northwestern Ontario and central Manitoba, but have also spread into the Upper Midwest in the United States, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada .

Satellite data also shows that smoke has crossed the Atlantic Ocean into parts of Europe, with more to come this week.

Exposure to wildfire smoke

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