A severe air quality emergency has been declared across large portions of the U.S. due to smoke from wildfires raging in Canada, affecting millions of residents from Minnesota to the East Coast. The smoke, mixed with Saharan dust, has led to hazardous conditions, prompting officials to issue stay-at-home warnings and air quality alerts in several states, including Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine. Residents are being advised to limit outdoor activities as hospitals report an increase in patients suffering from smoke-related health issues. The smoke has drastically reduced air quality, creating unhealthy conditions not only in the U.S. but also impacting air quality in Europe as it drifts across the Atlantic. As the situation worsens, experts are predicting that these smoke events may become a more frequent occurrence, raising concerns regarding long-term health effects.