Concerns over World Cup match in New Jersey amid US, Canada wildfires

Evacuation orders remain in effect in northeastern Minnesota as authorities work to to contain

15 active wildfires in Lake County.

Two of the largest fires have each burned more than 55 square kilometres and crossed into Canada.

This as more than 180 wildfires continue to rip through forests in northwestern Ontario

and pungent smoke seeps across the border prompting

air quality warnings in the US from the Great Lakes to parts of the East Coast.

A thick, gloomy haze masks the iconic Manhattan skyline as wildfires

continue to wreak havoc across the boarder in Ontario, Canada.

State officials distribute tens of thousands of face masks and open

cooling centres as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani

says public schools, parks and other city agencies are moving activities indoors,

rescheduling events and adjusting operations.

Air quality is expected to spike to "very unhealthy" from Buffalo in the state's western corner to

Rochester by Lake Ontario, Syracuse in the central region, down to the

greater New York City area.

Other cities across the Great Lakes states, too, register air quality ranging from

unhealthy to hazardous. Officials are urging residents to stay inside

air conditioned spaces and wear masks, regardless of health conditions.

This tourist visiting Chicago who suffers from asthma struggles to cope with the

smoke-filled air, and is buying masks and an inhaler in preparation.

I do have asthma but it rarely comes out. But something like this will

definitely trigger it. So I wanted to be 100% certain I wouldn't have to

like, you know, run to the ER or anything like that.

A number of sporting events have been disrupted, including in Philadelphia

and Chicago.

Concerns are raised over the air quality for the upcoming World Cup match in New Jersey

Sunday as Spain held its first training session on Thursday.