The smoke that caused the worst air quality in the world in New York and where it is headed now

The Environmental Protection Agency of USA has issued alerts over an area with more than 100 million people, where the smoke caused by forest fires in Canada is causing serious damage. Even on Wednesday the sky in NY it was dyed orange, in an apocalyptic scene that forced many residents to wear masks to avoid affecting their health. And this Thursday Washington, DC, went on alert.

According to CNN, forecasts show that dangerous air conditions are far from over. The low-pressure weather pattern channeling smoke from Canada toward USA it will persist through the weekend, which means that the northeast of the country could continue to see smoke even after Monday.

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Potentially harmful smoke reached Delaware, Maryland, northern Virginia and the city of Washington, DC on Thursday.

CNN reported that the air quality in the United States capital rose to “code purple” on Thursday morning, indicating very unhealthy air conditions for everyone.

People move under a layer of haze that partially obscures the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 8, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (MANDEL NGAN/)

The authorities of Washington, D.C. have urged the population to limit the time they spend outdoors and wear masks to avoid inhaling the smoke that could contain polluting particles, according to the EFE agency.

The mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, ordered schools to cancel outdoor recess, sports and field trips Thursday.

A person walks near the Lincoln Memorial under a blanket of haze in Washington, DC, on June 8, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN/AFP) (MANDEL NGAN/)

In addition, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, in the state of Pennsylvania, are the most affected metropolitan areas on Thursday morning, with air quality placed at “dangerous”.

Other major US cities facing “unhealthy” or “unhealthy for sensitive groups” levels include Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Indianapolis, CNN reported.

in the suburbs of Philadelphiaauthorities set up an emergency shelter so people living outside can take shelter from the smoke.

For its part, the National Meteorological Service explained what to do if a poor air quality alert is issued: “Stay inside, stay informed, minimize the use of gasoline-powered vehicles and other machineryand do not burn debris or other items.”

Areas of the United States and Canada affected by wildfires. (AFP).

Wednesday night, New York City air quality index topped 320which means it was “dangerous” or level 6 of 6, the worst designation for AirNow.gov, an air quality data site maintained in partnership by several government agencies, CNN reported.

Even the company IQAir.com, which monitors air quality around the world, said that NY it had the worst level of pollution of any city on the planet.

The George Washington Bridge on the Hudson. The mayor of New York asks to wear a mask and the governor recommends suspending outdoor activities due to poor air quality https://t.co/G66OPHcfM8 pic.twitter.com/7XLNm4CPvz

—Sandro Pozzi (@sandro_pozzi) June 7, 2023

Iconic buildings such as the Empire State Building, the George Washington Bridge or monuments such as the Statue of Liberty remained surrounded on Wednesday by a cloud of orange smoke.

A man talks on the phone as he looks through fog at the George Washington Bridge, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada causes foggy conditions in New York City on June 7, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP) (ANGELA WEISS/)

People wear a mask in New York due to the smoke in the air as a result of the forest fires in Canada, on June 7, 2023. (EFE/EPA/SARAH YENESEL).

The situation caused the delay of flights and forced the postponement of sporting events.

While public schools in Yonkers, New York, announced that they remain closed this Thursday.

Other school districts in New York, Maryland, Virginia and the city of Washington canceled outdoor activities. The Governor of New Jersey encouraged local school districts to do the same.

For her part, the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, said the state will distribute one million N95 masks. They will be available at state facilities. He also urged residents not to go outdoors.

“You don’t need to go out for a walk. You don’t need to push the baby in the stroller,” Hochul said Wednesday night. “This is not a safe time to do that.”

New York Subway rail employee Jommy Mosquera hands out N95 masks to people. (EFE/EPA/JUSTIN LANE). (JUSTIN LANE/)

The statue of Liberty. (AP).

On Thursday morning the air quality in NY began to improve slightly, although I was still at a 5 of 6 or “very unhealthy” level.

More than 400 forest fires are active in Canada and nearly half remain out of control. Only in the province of Quebec there are 150 forest fires.

Some 20,000 people have been evacuated, more than half in Quebecwhere the government is preparing to transfer another 4,000, detailed the AFP agency.

In Canada, smoke covers large areas of Ontario and Quebec.

In the metropolitan area of Torontowhere more than six million people live, the authorities are recommending that the elderly, children and people with health problems reduce activities abroad that involve physical effort, the EFE news agency reported.

Faced with the emergency, the Prime Minister of CanadaJustin Trudeau spoke by phone Wednesday with US President Joe Biden. Trudeau’s office said he thanked Biden for his support and that both leaders “acknowledged the need to work together to address the devastating impacts of climate change.”

According to the AP agency, the authorities of Canada They have said this will be the worst wildfire season in the country’s history.

The reason is that the forests are drier than usual, and this is accelerating the spread of fires.

Smoke from the flames has been moving toward the United States since last month, but intensified with the increase in fires in Quebec.

“With the troops we have, we can cover about 40 fires at the same time, but there are 150 assets”said Quebec Prime Minister François Legault.

Quebec mobilized hundreds of people to fight the fire and hopes to reach 1,200 with international aid, the AFP agency said.

The European Union has proposed sending more than 280 firefighters from France, Spain and Portugal to Canada.

The forest fires. (AFP).

In USAthe alert extends throughout the Northeast, from Chicago to Atlanta.

But fine smoke particles are expected to go as far as northern Europe.

Smoke has moved over Greenland and Iceland since June 1 and will be over Norway on Thursday, the Norwegian Institute for Climate and Environmental Research said.

In the United States, meteorological officials said the system trailing the large smoke is likely to “possibly stick around for at least the next few days.”

“Conditions are likely to remain unsanitary, at least until the wind direction changes or the fires are out”said Bryan Ramsey, a meteorologist for the US National Weather Service. “Since the fires are active, and they are really big, they are likely to continue for weeks. So everything is going to depend on the change of wind,” she added.

Aerial resources in the fight against forest fires. (AFP).

Source: Elcomercio