Delaware

As Wildfires in Canada rage on, smoke breaches US border. Will Delaware see wildfire smoke?

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2024

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As Wildfires in Canada rage on, smoke breaches US border. Will Delaware see wildfire smoke?

A string of worsening Canadian wildfires over the weekend has resulted in smoke drifting into the United States.

Here’s what you need to know about the situation and if wildfire smoke will impact Delaware.

Canadian wildfires

Canada’s wildfire season is underway, with several fires increasing in intensity and causing evacuations since last week.

ABC News reports over 100 active wildfires burning in Canada, with 91 of them located in British Columbia and Alberta provinces and officials labeling 40 of the 140 active fires as “out of control.” As the wildfires progress, areas most at risk continue to be evacuated.

Canadian wildfire smoke officially rolled into the U.S. over the weekend, with states from Montana to Wisconsin getting a whiff. Heavy smoke in Minnesota resulted in the state’s first air quality alert of 2024 being issued on May 12, remaining in place through May 13. Minnesota’s air quality index has fluctuated between “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” since the wildfire smoke breached its borders.

Officials expect Minnesota’s smoke to be “much weaker” on Monday, but Nebraska is expected to see hazy skies during the evening.

By sunrise on Monday, the wildfire smoke in the U.S. will likely be much weaker, with medium levels reaching from Wisconsin to southern Minnesota.

Air quality report: ‘Delaware still has work to do’: 2024 air quality report highlights air pollution concerns

Is Delaware at risk?

USA Today’s wildfire smoke map tracks wildfire incidents, warnings and smoke impacts across the U.S.

As of 9 a.m. on May 13, thick density smoke from Canada extending south into the northern U.S. could still be seen in Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota. The smoke also moved south into the central U.S., where it mixed with smoke from fire activity and seasonal burning in the country. The overall large smoke engulfing central and eastern U.S. could be seen moving eastward into the Atlantic Ocean.

As for Delaware, the map shows light density smoke enveloping the region, with medium density smoke in some of the southernmost parts of Delaware.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Air Quality Forecast reports “good” air quality in Delaware on Monday, a value from 0 to 50, adding that the air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk. Monday’s ozone levels are at a value of 44 and a PM2.5 of 39. PM 2.5 is defined as fine, inhalable particles or droplets in the air with diameters of 2.5 micrometers and smaller.

According to DNREC, light to moderate southerly winds will gradually transport pollutants into Delaware on Monday. Partly to mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s will aid ozone production, but regional pollutant carryover will be low, resulting in Air Quality Index levels that are high for ozone and good for PM2.5. The AQI determines how clean or polluted air is and what associated health effects might be a concern.

By Tuesday, moderate and gusty southerly winds will enhance dispersion and increasing clouds will hinder ozone production, resulting in high AQI levels for ozone and good AQI levels for PM2.5. DNREC expects Tuesday’s ozone value to be at 40 and PM2.5 value to be at 50, both in the “good” zone.

Wednesday is also expected to have good AQI levels for both ozone and PM2.5, with cloudy skies and periods of rain limiting ozone development and moderate easterly winds transporting clean air into Delaware.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

How Delaware fans will get to Philadelphia World Cup matches

Published

10 hours ago

May 30, 2026

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How Delaware fans will get to Philadelphia World Cup matches

When thousands of soccer fans descend on Philadelphia for the 2026 World Cup, the trip to the game will begin long before kickoff.

For most Delaware residents relying on public transportation, that journey starts on Amtrak or SEPTA platforms – navigating a transit system preparing for global‑scale crowds.

“Capacity is already sufficient for expected demand and we are prepared to scale operations if needed,” John Golden, a SEPTA senior press officer, told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “Travel demand is expected to be distributed, with many matches occurring during off‑peak commuting periods or weekends.”

More than 500,000 visitors are expected to come to Philadelphia for six FIFA World Cup matches at Lincoln Financial Field and the 39‑day FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park, according to Visit Philadelphia. The events run from June 11 to July 19, with matches in Philadelphia scheduled between June 14 and July 4 – coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

DART said it plans to operate on normal schedules during the World Cup, meaning SEPTA will be the primary public transit option for most travelers heading from Delaware to Philadelphia for the games.

What to know about SEPTA

SEPTA isn’t planning on any baseline service increases on the Wilmington/Newark line or the Media/Wawa line, as both lines have sufficient existing capacity, Golden said. SEPTA will monitor ridership in real time and will be prepared to add additional resources if necessary.

Golden recommends travelers give themselves two hours of travel time.

There are no discount passes, but through a partnership with Airbnb there will be free rides home on SEPTA’s Broad Street Line [B] after all six FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia (from NRG Station only), Golden said.

Golden said SEPTA will “maintain a flexible, responsive operating posture to adjust service as needed.”

Additionally, he said they want want locals and visitors to know SEPTA transports about 800,000 riders safely every day throughout the Philadelphia region.

“Planning for FIFA and the other events scheduled for this summer began last year and we are working with other local agencies, including the City of Philadelphia, Amtrak, NJ Transit and others to ensure that everyone’s experience is a positive one, not just during FIFA and America 250 events, but throughout the summer and beyond,” he added. “We encourage riders to visit SEPTA.org, where they will find up-to-date information on schedules, fares, enhanced service, and more.”

Extra police patrols will be added to both the B Line trains and stations to get riders home safely and SEPTA encourages riders to utilize the SEPTA Transit Watch App, where they can report safety and security issues discreetly.

Getting around in Philly

Once you manage to get to Philadelphia, the city’s convention and visitors’ bureau offers some suggestions on how to navigate the City of Brotherly Love.

Take some comfortable shoes and walk in Philadelphia, which has consistently ranked as one of USA TODAY’s Most Walkable City to Visit in the country.

There’s biking. No worries if you didn’t bring yours, Philadelphia has the Indego program – an around-the-clock bike-share program that provides thousands of classic and electric-assist bicycles at more than 250 stations around the city. Riders must be 14 or older to ride classic bikes and older than 15 to ride the electric bikes. Costs vary by the type of bike and the amount of time needed to use them.

Don’t want to sweat? There’s SEPTA, which offers an expansive network of subways, buses and regional trains with one-way fares starting at just $2.90.

Uber and Lyft are the go-to ride share services in Philadelphia, but you want to make sure you have these mobile apps installed with your payment information stored.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

The best Delaware high schools for athletes? According to one study, these are top 25

Published

20 hours ago

May 29, 2026

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The best Delaware high schools for athletes? According to one study, these are top 25

Tucked away on the East Coast, one of the smallest states has had a sizeable impact on the national sports scene.

Elena Delle Donne, one of the GOATs of women’s basketball, dominated the hardwood as a high school athlete, breaking Delaware’s points record. Chris Godwin, who has been a Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl, was a top WR recruit and won two championships as a Delaware high schooler. Delino DeShields, a former MLB player, committed to LSU for both baseball and football.

Total number of sports: 16

1. Salesianum School (Wilmington)

Total number of sports: 15

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Delaware

Update – Suspect in Custody State Police Investigating Home Invasion in Georgetown – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

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*Update – Suspect in Custody* State Police Investigating Home Invasion in Georgetown – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Date Posted: Friday, May 29th, 2026

The Delaware State Police have arrested 44-year-old Robert Berry from Millsboro, Delaware for a home invasion that occurred in Georgetown.

On May 15, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., troopers responded to the 24000 block of Lawson Road in Georgetown for a panic alarm activation reported by a home security vendor. Troopers arrived and learned that the 83-year-old female victim had activated her panic alarm after an unknown male suspect, forced his way into her home as she opened her front door. Once inside, the suspect pointed a handgun at her and demanded to see another unknown person he believed was inside the residence. The victim was able to lock herself in a bedroom and activate her panic alarm while the suspect searched through the residence before leaving in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Robert Berry as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On May 28, 2026, Berry was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $166,000 cash bond.

Attempt to Commit Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
Home Invasion Burglary 1st Degree (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possess, Purchase, Own, or Control a Firearm/Destructive Weapon if Previously Convicted of Two Violent Felonies on Separate
Occasions (Felony)
Aggravated Menacing (Felony)

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Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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