North America bushfires lead to air pollution alerts throughout US

Smoke from dozens of blazes blankets large swathes of country

A home burns in the Indian Falls neighbourhood of Plumas County, California, one of the areas affected by the Dixie fire, which has destroyed a quarter of a million acres since July 13.

Burnt vehicles in Indian Falls, California. At least 16,500 people have fled the Dixie fire.

Firefighters monitor a firing operation, where crews set ground fire to stop a wildfire from spreading, while battling the Dixie Fire in Lassen National Forest, California.

A trail of melted metal spreads away from a vehicle destroyed by the Dixie fire in Indian Falls, California.

A firefighter passes a burning home as the Dixie Fire flares in Plumas County, California.

A statue of Jesus lies on the ground near a home that was destroyed by the Dixie fire in Indian Falls, California.

The Dixie Fire burns near Taylorsville, California.

Resident Jon Cappleman explains his reasons for not leaving his home in the evacuation zone of the Dixie Fire, in Twain, California.

A statue of an animal stands in front of a home that was destroyed by the Dixie Fire in Indian Falls, California.

Large swathes of the US remained under air pollution alerts on Sunday as bushfires continued to tear through much of North America.

Smoke from the fires blanketed large portions of the western, southwestern and northern states, leading to air quality alerts.

More than 80 fires burnt throughout the country last week amid severe drought and temperatures exceeding 30ºC in places.

The state of California is preparing for potential power cuts as a result of the blazes.

Fires have destroyed more than 1.7 million acres, with the largest single fire covering 413,000 acres in Oregon. Local officials do not expect that firefighters will be able to fully contain the Oregon fire until October at the earliest.

Smoke from fires in Canada has drifted into the northern US, leading to pollution alerts in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

The pollution is a particular danger to young children, the elderly and those with heart or lung issues.

Vulnerable residents in Minnesota have been advised to limit their time outside and avoid strenuous physical activity.

President Joe Biden convened a virtual meeting on Friday with governors from the affected states to discuss the fires. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau contacted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz about the issue.

Bushfires have become more frequent, longer and deadlier in recent years as a result of increasing temperatures owing to global climate change.

The fires last year burnt 4.2 million acres, making 2020 the most devastating season on record.

Fires continue to rage throughout Turkey, Greece and Italy. They have forced thousands to evacuate coastal tourist resort towns in western Turkey.