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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder.
Millions of Americans under a health alert this weekend because of compromised air quality caused by out-of-control wildfires in the Canadian province of Manitoba.
NPR's Alana Wise reports that thick clouds of smoke have swept through at least three northern states.
Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota have all issued air quality alerts for their residents.
This comes as 17,000 Manitobans have been forced to flee their homes as dangerous fires cut through the province's prized wildlands.
The evacuation effort is the largest in recent history for Manitoba.
These fires come on the heels of two consecutive years of devastating wildfire seasons.
In all three affected states,
experts warn that the air quality is unsafe for people like children and the elderly.
In Minnesota, which is projected to be the hardest hit,
the air quality will be reduced to the point of danger for sensitive groups and some members of the general public.
Alana Wise, NPR News.
The U.S.
Forest Service says it has sent an air tanker and other equipment as well as more than 150 firefighters to Canada to help fight the fires.