The wildfire smoke posed significant health risks, particularly to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Duluth, MN, faced hazardous air quality levels, prompting the opening of clean-air shelters and distribution of respirators. Other cities in the Great Lakes region, including Toledo, OH, and Detroit, MI, also experienced severe air quality degradation, with PM2.5 levels exceeding the EPA's 'Unhealthy' threshold for multiple days. Even cities on the East Coast, such as New York and Washington, D.C., recorded unhealthy air quality levels, highlighting the widespread impact of the smoke plume. Prolonged exposure to elevated PM2.5 levels can lead to respiratory distress, cardiovascular issues, and other health complications.