Smoke from Canadian wildfires is smothering Northeast Ohio and much of the Great Lakes region. The Ohio EPA issued an air quality alert on Thursday. The agency expects our current air quality to remain “unhealthy,” for much of the day and possibly into the weekend.

As of 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, AirNow.gov described the air quality in Cleveland as “hazardous.” The current air quality was rated as 361 at that time. At 2 p.m., the air quality was at 502. A source at a Northeast Ohio park system reported one air quality sensor reading in the 700s on Thursday afternoon. For comparison, a range of 50 to 100 is considered “moderate” or “generally safe.” Anything above “300” is considered “hazardous.”

Cities across the Great Lakes states registered air quality ranging from unhealthy to hazardous — which means it’s unhealthy for anyone, regardless of health conditions. Microscopic particles can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to heart and lung problems and contributing to other long-term health issues.

Dr. Samuel Gurevich, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, said conditions are particularly dangerous for children with asthma, pregnant women and people with heart conditions.

“We know that air pollution in general can really trigger a number of health issues, including simple things that we think about like asthma or COPD, but they can actually also trigger cardiovascular events. And smoke from wildfires is no exception,” he said in a statement issued through the Cleveland Clinic. “They actually put into the air a lot of what we call particulate matter, which are these very, very fine particles of dust and other organic matter that then can easily be breathed in and can irritate the airways or even be absorbed into the bloodstream.”

Northeast Ohioans are urged to stay indoors while air quality remains in the unhealthy range. Gurevich recommended donning an N95 protective mask if you do have to venture outdoors. However, medical officials insisted that respiratory ailments are not the only conditions exacerbated by the wildfire smoke.

“While breathing problems and respiratory health dangers are often considered the biggest health impact from wildfire smoke, it’s important to recognize the impact on cardiovascular health, as well.,” said Dr. Meera Kondapaneni, board president of the American Heart Association’s Greater Cleveland division and an interventional cardiologist with The MetroHealth System. “Wildfire smoke contains a lot of pollutants including fine, microscopic particles linked to cardiovascular risk. As these fires continue to burn that contaminated smoke is traveling many miles beyond the immediately affected area.”

Cleveland, Cuyahoga County take action

All playgrounds, outdoor pools and youth sports in Cleveland are cancelled due to the air quality. Indoor pools remain open. Cuyahoga County offered the following tips for residents:

• Limit time outdoors, especially during the afternoon and early evening when ozone levels are often highest.
• Stay inside and in an air-conditioned area with windows and doors closed if possible.
• Reduce strenuous outdoor activity such as running, biking, and yardwork.
• If you must be outside, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Check your city’s website for locations of cooling centers.
• The Division of Senior and Adult Services maintains a map of agencies and resources to assist older adults.

Cleveland city officials are extending hours at Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers (NRRCs) to offer shelter for residents exposed to the wildfire air. On Thursday and Friday, the following facilities will be open from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.:

• Zelma George: 3155 Martin L. King Blvd.  
• Collinwood: 16300 Lakeshore Blvd.   
• Gunning: 16700 Puritas Ave.   
• Kovacic: 6250 St. Clair Ave.   
• Frederick Douglass: 15401 Miles Ave.  
• Michael Zone: 6301 Lorain Ave.

The following facilities will be open from 11:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.:

• Lonnie Burten: 2511 East 46th Street 
• Clark: 5706 Clark Ave. 
• Cory: 10510 Drexel Ave. 
• Cudell: 1910 West Blvd. 
• Estabrook: 4125 Fulton Rd. 
• Fairfax: 2335 East 82nd Street     
• Hamilton: 13200 Kinsman Ave.
• Glenville: 680 E. 113th Street
• Thurgood Marshall: 8611 Hough Ave.
• Sterling: 1380 East 32nd Street
• Earle B. Turner: 11300 Miles Ave.
• Stella Walsh: 7345 Broadway Ave.
• Woodland: 9206 Woodland Ave.

Longterm air quality

National Weather Service meteorologist Jake Petr said even if winds from the northwest clear skies as expected later this week, the smoky air could keep returning until the fires are out. That could take weeks or longer.

“Anytime we have something that could bring air from that region until the fires are over, it could conceivably dip back into the area,” Petr said.

A study published this year found that long-term exposure to tiny particles from wildfire smoke contributed to an average of 24,100 deaths a year in the lower 48 states. Long-term exposure can make existing health problems worse and lead to a range of chronic and deadly health issues, including respiratory illness, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and premature death.

This story features reporting from the Associated Press’s Philip Marcelo, Tammy Webber reported from Fenton, Michigan. Associated Press reporters Ed White in Detroit, Jacqueline GaNun in Lansing, Michigan.  

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Smoke from wildfires in northeast Minnesota and Canada will impact air quality in Ohio through tomorrow. A cold front sweeps through the area Saturday night.

Partly cloudy and humid today. Afternoon temperatures 82 to 91 degrees.

Clear sky tonight.

Partly cloudy tomorrow. High temperatures around 90 degrees.

Breezy and humid Saturday with a few thunderstorms. The best risk of storms will be during the evening hours. The storms could turn severe.

June 30, 2026— CLEVELAND, OH — Mayor Justin M. Bibb, the City of Cleveland, and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund (SRF) today announced two major milestones in Cleveland’s industrial and housing strategy with the selection of MMY US (MMY) as the City’s preferred modular housing manufacturer, and the award of $2.56 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits for the redevelopment of the historic Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Engineering Company building at 7000 Central Avenue.

Together, these announcements reflect a coordinated effort to expand housing production capacity in Cleveland, create quality manufacturing jobs, and activate one of the Midline’s most significant historic industrial assets.

The City and SRF selected MMY through the “Off-Site Construction Manufacturing in Cleveland” Request for Proposals, marking a major step forward in Cleveland’s effort to reduce the time and cost of building new homes through innovative construction methods. The process was made possible thanks to City Council’s participation and careful analysis.

MMY’s investment will support the City’s Housing Innovation District, a focused strategy spanning Central, Hough, and St. Clair-Superior designed to accelerate housing production through modern zoning, incentivized permitting, innovative construction techniques, and infrastructure investments.

“Clevelanders deserve access to high-quality, affordable homes, and addressing our housing shortage requires bold action. With the selection of MMY as our modular housing manufacturing partner, we are taking a major step toward building more housing, more quickly, and at a scale that meets the needs of our residents,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “This decision brings advanced manufacturing and good-paying jobs to Cleveland while creating the capacity to produce the homes our city needs. It is a powerful example of how we are tackling our housing challenges head-on and building a stronger, more affordable future for Cleveland families.”

The company’s decision to establish operations in Cleveland will expand the region’s capacity to produce off-site construction housing while creating up to 150 manufacturing jobs.

Pending the completion of state and local incentives, MMY intends to locate its manufacturing facility in the historic Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Engineering Company building at 7000 Central Avenue, a 185,000-square-foot industrial landmark situated within the Midline.

The redevelopment marks another significant milestone for the Midline, Cleveland’s long-term effort to transform more than 350 acres of former industrial land into a modern employment district, innovation corridor, and greenway connecting neighborhoods with opportunity.

“We are grateful to Mayor Bibb, the City of Cleveland, and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund for the confidence they have placed in MMY US,” said Robin Bartram Brown, CEO of MMY US. “At MMY, we believe quality housing creates stronger communities, and that the best outcomes are achieved through innovation, skilled manufacturing, and strong partnerships. We look forward to contributing to Cleveland’s future.”

Founded by Samuel T. Wellman, inventor of the first open-hearth furnace in the United States, alongside Charles H. Wellman and John W. Seaver, the facility served as home to the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Company until 1978. The company earned an international reputation for engineering some of the largest material-handling systems ever built, including Cleveland’s renowned Huletts.

Recognizing its historic and engineering significance, the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office determined the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The site has also received a Cleveland Landmark designation, with a final National Register review anticipated this fall.

Building on that recognition, the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office awarded the project $2.56 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits to support the building’s rehabilitation. The award represents a key component of a nearly $26 million capital stack that will transform the long-vacant facility into a modern manufacturing hub.

“This is far more than the rehabilitation of a historic building. As the crown jewel of the Midline, Wellman-Seaver represents the opportunity to reconnect Cleveland’s industrial legacy with its economic future by creating a site that will attract investment, support housing production, and generate jobs for decades to come,” said Brad Whitehead, Managing Director of the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund. “We are grateful to receive the full amount requested to support the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Wellman-Seaver Building, and we thank Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Development, Mayor Justin Bibb, and the City of Cleveland for their continued partnership and commitment to this transformational project.”

The selection of MMY and the redevelopment of the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan building reflect cornerstone pieces of Mayor Bibb’s Cleveland ERA agenda, driving economic resurgence through industrial revival, neighborhood vibrancy, and government innovation citywide.