Rain hasn’t quelled Canadian wildfires, and more smoky haze is on the way, officials say

By ROB GILLIES
Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian officials say heavy rain in Quebec in recent days missed the places where wildfires are most active, and they expect air quality to remain a concern through the summer, as long as the fires continue. Smoke from the wildfires has lowered curtains of haze on broad swaths of Canada and the United States, pushing into southern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, and moving into parts of West Virginia. Canadian officials say it is the nation’s worst wildfire season ever. Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Steven Flisfeder says smoke will drift across Quebec and Ontario over the next few days, and that air quality will deteriorate as a result.