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Millions of Americans are on alert for unhealthy air quality as smoke from wildfires in neighboring Canada drifts to the United States. Wildfires have burned a record of more than 19.5 million acres across Canada so far this year, with no end in sight. There are nearly 500 active wildfires throughout the country and over 250 have been deemed out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. The smoke has been making its way to the U.S. for more than a month. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Jun 28, 6:05 PM OVER 100 MILLION AMERICANS UNDER AIR QUALITY ALERTS Air quality alerts remain in effect for more than 100 million Americans across the Midwest and into the Northeast Wednesday evening, as wildfire smoke from neighboring Canada blankets large swaths of the United States. Hard-hit Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis remain among the top five places in the world with the worst air quality as of Wednesday evening. The air quality alerts are mainly for people in sensitive groups who have upper respiratory issues. The near-surface smoke is expected to stretch from Wisconsin to Kentucky and into the Carolinas Wednesday evening. Some of the smoke will likely make its way into the mid-Atlantic overnight. Pittsburgh to Syracuse are forecast to see hazy, smoky skies and poor air quality Wednesday night. Through Thursday, the smoke is expected to move out of the Midwest and linger farther east but not be as heavy. No significant smoke issues are forecast at this time for major Northeast cities, including New York City. -ABC News' Melissa Griffin Jun 28, 1:10 PM AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY ISSUED IN NEW YORK While the poor air quality is mostly hovering over the Midwest, the dangerous smoke is also drifting toward the East Coast. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has expanded Wednesday's air quality health advisory to include the entire state. "Air in Western New York, Central New York, and the Eastern Lake Ontario regions is forecast to be 'Unhealthy,'" Hochul's office said. "The forecast for the remainder of the state, including New York City and Long Island, is 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.'" Jun 28, 12:39 PM CHICAGO'S AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL WEDNESDAY NIGHT In Chicago, where the Air Quality Index is in the "very unhealthy" category, an Air Quality Alert is in effect until Wednesday night. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is urging "particularly sensitive populations, including individuals with heart or lung disease, older adults, pregnant people, and young children" to avoid outdoor activities. Camps have been moved indoors where possible, the mayor said, and he's encouraging "Chicagoans without access to properly ventilated and safe indoor conditions" to "please utilize our public libraries, senior centers, Park District facilities, and the Cultural Center or the six community service centers that operate from 9am-5pm." Jun 28, 12:30 PM WHITE HOUSE MONITORING AIR QUALITY ISSUES AS BIDEN VISITS CHICAGO President Joe Biden has touched down in Chicago for fundraising and an economic address, and the White House said his schedule has not been modified due to the poor air quality in the city. "No modifications to today's schedule that I'm aware of as a result of this," principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said. "But certainly, we are monitoring the air quality issues across the country closely and federal agencies are ensuring that federal resources are available in affected regions as appropriate." The Air Quality Index in hazy Chicago reached 207 on Wednesday morning. Any number over 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. -ABC News' Molly Nagle Jun 28, 10:34 AM HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM WILDFIRE SMOKE AMID REDUCED AIR QUALITY Wildfire smoke and ash can irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs, making you cough or wheeze and can make it hard to breathe, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says the most effective way to protect yourself during wildfire emergencies is to stay indoors or limit time outdoors when there is smoke in the air. This is especially important for those with heart or lung conditions who are at higher risk for adverse health effects. "People who are most at risk are [the] elderly, immunocompromised, young children and people who already have respiratory problems, people with asthma and things like that," said Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a member of ABC News' Medical Unit. Read more here. -ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab and Youri Benadjaoud Jun 28, 10:32 AM WHERE THE WILDFIRE SMOKE IS CONCENTRATING AND WHY The latest round of unhealthy air quality due to smoke from wildfires in Canada has pushed into the United States, and it's ability to concentrate over areas from Wisconsin to Kentucky is aided by recent storms that spawned tornadoes, large hail and [damaging winds]). Winds at the mid-levels of the atmosphere are causing the Canadian wildfire smoke to concentrate over a specific area of the midwestern and eastern U.S. Meanwhile, a heat dome that’s been causing stagnant deadly heat in the Deep South for weeks is keeping the smoke largely out of the region. The next round of widespread showers and thunderstorms for this area of the eastern Midwest and the East is forecast to arrive on Friday and continue through the weekend, which will clear the smoke. But as long as the wildfires continue to rage in Canada, these events of dense smoke plumes will likely continue to disperse into the U.S. Canada's wildfire activity typically peaks from June to August. Jun 28, 7:59 AM WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE AIR QUALITY INDEX FROM WILDFIRE SMOKE AND HOW IT AFFECTS HUMAN HEALTH Heavy blankets of smoke billowing over the United States from wildfires burning in neighboring Canada are threatening the health of millions of people -- even non-vulnerable populations with no preexisting conditions. But what about the smoke makes it so hazardous for humans to be around? Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which are microscopic solid or liquid droplets -- often 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair -- that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides -- pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. But wildfires likely contain PM2.5 that is up to 10 times more harmful than the same type of air pollution coming from combustion activity, according to a 2021 study conducted in California. PM2.5 is considered unhealthy for "Code Orange" and sensitive groups once the Air Quality Index surpasses 100, according to AirNow, a website that publishes air quality data. Once the AQI surpasses 150, it is considered "Code Red," unhealthy for some members of the general public who may experience health effects, with sensitive groups experiencing more severe effects. The AQI is at "Code Purple" once it surpasses 200, considered "very unhealthy" with increased health risk for all populations. "Code Maroon" is labeled as "hazardous" and a health warning for emergency conditions once the AQI reaches 300 and higher. At Code Maroon, "everyone is more likely to be affected," according to AirNow. A "good" AQI is measured at 50 and below, and a "moderate" air quality index ranks between 51 and 100. Read more here. -ABC News’ Julia Jacobo Jun 28, 9:37 AM CHICAGO AIR QUALITY HITS 'VERY UNHEALTHY' CATEGORY As Canadian wildfire smoke infiltrates the midwestern United States, the air in Chicago has deteriorated to the Air Quality Index's> "very unhealthy" category. The AQI in hazy Chicago reached 250 on Tuesday afternoon. Any number over 100 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. "We recommend children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease, and individuals who are pregnant avoid strenuous activities and limit their time outdoors," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson warned in a statement. "For additional precautions, all Chicagoans may also consider wearing masks, limiting their outdoor exposure, moving activities indoors, running air purifiers, and closing windows." The smoke is forecast to clear on Friday when showers and thunderstorms hit the region. Earlier this month, the AQI in the northeastern U.S. reached near maximum with levels in the high 400s. Jun 28, 9:36 AM 20 US STATES UNDER AIR QUALITY ALERTS As of Wednesday morning, 20 U.S. states are under air quality alerts from Minnesota down to Georgia and as far north as western New York. Wildfire smoke from neighboring Canada is currently blanketing large swaths of the United States, from Iowa to western Pennsylvania to North Carolina and most everywhere in between. Only Chicago is getting a small reprieve on Wednesday morning due to a lake breeze, which isn't expected to last for long. Later on Wednesday, the smoke is expected to cover areas from Minnesota to Washington, D.C. and down to the Carolinas. By early Thursday morning, the smoke will be seen in Minneapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Pittsburgh. But by the afternoon, it will linger from Detroit to Atlanta and east to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. New York City could be impacted as well, but most of the smoke from the Canadian wildfires is expected to stay in western New York state, Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Continue reading Sponsored Content MORE FROM ABC News Dog alerts couple of alligator in their Louisiana homeSalvaged debris from Titan submersible contains 'presumed human remains': Coast GuardPolice board votes to fire officers involved in arrest that left man paralyzed Visit ABC News TRENDING STORIES 1. Home Depot Worker Applauded After Quitting Job During Pricing Dispute With CustomerDistractify 2. ‘Presumed human remains’ found in wreckage of doomed Titan submersible, US Coast Guard saysCNN 3. 30 Eerie Mormon Beliefs You Won't Believe ExistHistory Daily 4. Walgreens Is Closing 150 Stores; Everyone Should WorryTheStreet MORE FOR YOU Full screen 1 of 53 Photos in Gallery©ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images BUY THESE 52 TOP STOCKS NOW BEFORE A MULTI-YEAR MARKET RECOVERY BEGINS, ACCORDING TO BMO CAPITAL MARKETS * The days of low interest rates that allowed growth stocks to take off are over, according to BMO. * Value names will outperform as a new bull market kicks off, the firm's strategy chief said. * Here are the 52 best investing ideas from BMO analysts in the first quarter of 2023. A three-year stretch of chaos in markets will soon end, according to BMO Capital Markets. Stocks have swung from feverish highs to crushing lows since the pandemic as interest rates rose from rock-bottom levels to historically high. That made money harder to come by, which unwound a once-in-a-generation rally for fast-growing companies and other riskier assets. Though the era of easy gains for stocks is over, that's not necessarily bad news for investors, wrote Brian Belski, BMO's chief investment strategist, in a recent research report. "The great unwind toward normalcy has begun," Belski wrote. "But the news is not all dire. In fact, we believe this 'great unwind and return to normalcy' is actually very good news — with some bumps and bruises along the way." In this new normal, BMO believes that careful stock selection will be crucial. Unlike in the 2010s, investors shouldn't count on index funds to deliver steady gains while growth and rates are low. "We believe the reality of a higher-than-zero interest rate scenario, single-digit earnings growth, a moderation of valuation, and historical average stock market performance will spawn more active stock-picking strategies defined by bottoms-up characteristics instead of macro," Belski wrote. EXPECT A COMEBACK FROM LAST DECADE'S LOSERS Naturally, a dramatically different investing landscape should produce a fresh set of winners. Value stocks now appear to be at the start of a strong multi-year rally after they trailed their growth-focused peers for the better part of a decade, Belski wrote. The same is true for small- to mid-cap companies, which long lagged behind their large-cap counterparts. However, those gains may not come easy. Belski reiterated his call for choppy performance for markets in 2023, especially since the risk of higher interest rates hasn't fully been priced in. "The market is likely to experience periods of heightened volatility (in both directions) during 1H23 until overall levels of inflation trend down closer to historical norms throughout the second half of the year," Belski wrote. For patient investors, volatility should present buying opportunities. If Belski is correct that the S&P 500 won't fall back to its mid-October low, then the new bull market is already underway. 52 TOP STOCKS TO BUY NOW In the report, dozens of BMO analysts listed 52 of their favorite stocks across nine market sectors to buy this quarter. Below are the top investing ideas from BMO, along with each company's ticker, market capitalization, sector, price target, and thesis. See More This originally appeared in Insider's 10 Things Before the Opening Bell newsletter. Hello readers. Phil Rosen here, reporting from New York. As a financial journalist, I spend a lot of time seeing what people well smarter than me have to say about money, markets, and the economy. One report, written by the Federal Reserve's own economists, left me with not exactly an upbeat outlook. More on that below. ICYMI: This is the last week of 10 Things Before the Opening Bell. You'll still be able to get our latest markets news directly in your inboxes via our flagship newsletter, Insider Today, which will be revamped in the next few weeks. Sign up here. Plus, you can also download our app and sign up for markets notifications. 1. Researchers at the US central bank just published a paper warning that a historic surge in the percentage of distressed American companies could worsen the fallout from the Fed's inflation battle. Plainly, they said high borrowing costs could cause a huge number of companies to crumble. "The share of nonfinancial firms in financial distress has reached a level that is higher than during most previous tightening episodes since the 1970s," Ander Perez-Orive and Yannick Timmer wrote. The Fed's 10 consecutive interest rates — intended to quell historically high prices — threaten to hammer business investment, employment, and economic activity. Now, the economists said, it's possible that debt-ridden companies will avoid spending money on new developments or facilities, hiring, or production. The full extent of the damage remains to be seen, but as of now, the central bank authors said about 37% of firms are in trouble. That is, more than a third of companies could default in the coming months, thanks to tightening monetary policy. Pardon the jargon, but here's how the researchers put it: "Our hypothesis is that following a policy tightening, access to external financing deteriorates more for firms that are in distress than for healthy firms, while following a policy easing, external financing conditions do not change appreciably enough for the two groups of firms to trigger a differential response." Got it? It's okay, I didn't either the first time around. Basically, they are predicting that companies feel pain in times of policy tightening, especially those with weaker balance sheets to begin with. But at the same time, loosening of policy doesn't necessarily translate to smoother sailing in the same way. What's your outlook for the state of business activity in the US for the rest of the year? Tweet me (@philrosenn) or email me (prosen@insider.com) to let me know. In other news: 2. US stock futures fall early Wednesday, as traders brace for Fed Chair Jerome Powell to speak before a policy panel at the European Central Bank Forum. Check out the latest market moves. 3. Earnings on deck: BlackBerry, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more, all reporting. 4. A chief market strategist explained why a recession won't hit anytime soon. She said investors should be focused on underperforming sectors right now instead of getting into hot tech stocks. 5. Ukrainian debt is now one of the hottest emerging market investments. Russian setbacks have lifted Kyiv's economic prospects, Bloomberg data showed, with the country's sovereign dollar bonds returning over 30% in the second quarter — and most of those gains have come this month. 6. Investors should monitor these bearish signals to stay ahead of a potential sell-off in the stock market. That's according to Bank of America, which pointed to technical signals that are beginning to surface following the S&P 500's recent rally. Full details. 7. The housing market is showing signs of a rebound. Home prices stabilized in April, CoreLogic data published Tuesday showed. These are the three cities that saw the biggest home price increases. 8. "Time to get greedy." That's what 35-year market veteran Kevin Rendino said about small stocks, which investors are avoiding like it's 2008. He said this batch of names look set to soar as much as 800%. 9. A 20-year fund manager shared the eight mega-trend stocks he's betting on. These names look poised to take market share, he said — but these are the five names he's shorting now. 10. Tesla's best stock run since 2020 is being spoiled by Wall Street downgrades. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Barclays have all warned that Elon Musk's EV-maker could see its shares slide soon, as it could be overvalued following its latest rally. See the numbers. Curated by Phil Rosen in New York. Feedback or tips? Tweet @philrosenn or email prosen@insider.com. Edited by Max Adams (@maxradams) in New York and Hallam Bullock (@hallam_bullock) in London. Continue reading Sponsored Content MORE FROM Markets Insider US stocks close mixed as Fed Chair Powell says more rate hikes could be comingJoby stock soars 44% after the flying-taxi company receives permit to begin flight testThe global economy is slowing down. Just look at the luxury watch market. Visit Markets Insider TRENDING STORIES 1. ‘Presumed human remains’ found in wreckage of doomed Titan submersible, US Coast Guard saysCNN 2. 30 Eerie Mormon Beliefs You Won't Believe ExistHistory Daily 3. Walgreens Is Closing 150 Stores; Everyone Should WorryTheStreet 4. Woman Says Former Patient Had a Sprouting Potato Inside Her Lady BitsDistractify MORE FOR YOU * © 2023 Microsoft * Your Privacy Choices * Privacy & Cookies * Terms of use * Advertise Feedback