Air quality is the worst in these US cities amid Canada wildfires

Smoke from over 850 Canadian wildfires is severely degrading air quality in several U.S. cities, with Detroit, Minneapolis and Chicago ranking worst according to live data, and officials issuing alerts and advising reduced outdoor activity through the end of the week.

More than 850 wildfires are burning across Canadaas the smoke from the blazes has triggered air quality alerts from the upper Midwest into the Northeast, according to the National Weather Service.

States such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York are among the most affected by the smoke, according to the NWS. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy declared an air quality alert for Thursday, July 16, and Friday, July 17, while the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued an air quality advisory for the entire state until midnight ET on July 17.

Officials have urged residents to reduce strenuous outdoor activity and take extra breaks outside as forecasters warned smoky conditions could persist through the end of the week.

Here's a look at which cities are facing the worst air quality on Thursday, July 16, due to the smoke from the wildfires.

Which US cities are seeing the worst air quality?

The following American cities with the worst air quality, according to IQ Air's live ranking are:

• Detroit

• Minneapolis

• Chicago

• New York

As of 11 a.m. ET, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Chicago have the worst air quality among American cities, according to IQ Air's live ranking of major world cities, which ranks them first, second, and fourth, respectively. New York City also placed just outside the top ten at number eleven. Toronto, Canada currently ranks third on the list.

See air quality in your area

See the live map below to track air quality in your area. Green indicates good air quality, while yellow is moderate and orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups.