Well… sort of.
The Canadian wildfires have made going outside in the Chicago area dangerous for the past few days. Smoke from those fires has engulfed the Midwest and eastern U.S. So much so, Chicago had the worst air quality on the planet. People were sent home from work, and those with asthma, COPD, and/or chronic bronchitis (me) were told to stay home. I’ve had a rough time breathing for several days. Thank goodness I have air conditioning.
I feel for yah brother! I have COPD to. I’m in Ottawa, Ontario and it was bad here to. The sun was a big orange ball that you could look directly at with no protection, it was creepy and very strange. My lungs were burning at one point so I put a mask on. Luckily, I have A/C and hepa filters at home and work. The short walk between home/car car/work as enough to mess with me for a bit.
Stay cool/safe 
It’s been bad here too more than 20 hours away from where the fires are actually burning in Ontario. It smells like sitting around a 24 hr camp fire every day. Some days are better than others depending on the wind direction. These are not the only fires also. Other provinces have theirs too closer to the US like BC.
There are fires in northern Minnesota as well. The winds are just carrying the smoke right into the Chicago area. It’s predicted to be even worse here over the next few days.
You scared me for a moment…
Canadians please don’t burn down the White House, again. A ball room was just added along with an Arch.
Ah yes, the all important ball room… 
Thankfully yesterday wasn’t so bad here in Mid Ohio. We had wind and Rain’s so the smoke wasn’t around here at all yesterday. However the day before it was horrid. I have COPD with Emphysema making it pretty rough on me. I had to stay in side the whole day it was so bad. There is no mention of smoke in the forecast today so hopefully its out of this area.
We’ve had several wildfires from lightning strikes out here where I live. . . biggest one was 97,000 acres and burned a huge swath of mountainous area this summer. Luckily the winds were in our favor fanning the smoke to the N.E. towards Denver and away from where I live. My wife and I live in a very windy high desert plateau where the winds blow mostly in two directions . . S.W. to N.E. and N. to S. We were spared from the smoke. Fires have gone on for the last 3 years because of climate change. Very little to no snow in the Winter and light rain in July and August. This year it appears moisture is coming up from the Gulf of California and from the Pacific because of Hurricane activity and tropical depressions. July and August are the start of what we call ‘Monsoon’ season here. I can’t say I feel ‘too’ sorry for people back east. Wild fire is a common occurrence here because of the dry nature during the summer with lightning, and the lack of sufficient water with minimal snowfall in the winter. Firefighting planes with chemical retardant were flying out of the local airport every 10 minutes for 3 weeks during this big fire.
Rich 
I lived in Pueblo West for almost 14 years. The Aspen fire South and West of there has burned over 200,000 acres so far. Still 5 major fires burning in the Colorado.
@sammiev
Very Funny! 
[Before this thread gets shut down from talk of invasion…]
I believe the USA would make a fine 11th province.
Oh, Canada! 
[…from a friendly neighbor on your southern border]
You’ll have to convert. Start by saying “I am Canadian Eh”
A bit like, btw, I use Arch.
Yeap we are getting a taste of what BC had close up. I’m also in Ontario \ GTA, so last Wednesday I am out at 6 am driving to work and everything the whole day looks a tinge of orange like we are on Mars. The only good thing is temperature dropped allot as the particles reflected the sun.
My Mom has breathing issues, so I feel for the stress people are under. So yeah check on your neighbors and watch out for the vulnerable. Good luck everyone.
Who knows … maybe Justin Trudeau will do his best to teach them about hockey, poutine and pre-paid healthcare. They can be saved!
I downloaded it for the guys at work–this is priceless
