As hundreds of wildfires burn across Canada, smoke is traveling south and potentially affecting Americans’ health. Here's why it can be so dangerous.

(Reuters) -Smoke from wildfires burning in three Canadian provinces covered about a third of the U.S. on Wednesday, forecasters said, but had little effect on air quality except in New England and parts of New York state and the Midwest.

An Air Quality Alert is in effect as Canadian wildfire smoke has been blown in behind a slow-moving rain system and cold front.