Massive wildfires burning out of control in western and central Canada are forcing thousands to flee as dire forecasts for the country’s fire season come to fruition. The intensifying blazes are also sending hazardous smoke toward major cities in the United States.

The heavy smoke from the active wildfires in Canada is expected to hit parts of the United States. The fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres in both provinces and resulted in the evacuation of at least 17,