Air quality hit harmful levels across eastern US from Canada’s wildfires

TORONTO

The far-reaching effects of wildfires in Canada have extended to the eastern coast of the US, with smoke taking a toll on air quality on Wednesday.

Thirteen states have issued alerts as thick fumes have blocked the sky and sent people indoors, as of early Wednesday.

Washington DC’s air quality fell to dangerous levels, according to reports from the National Weather Service, which urged people to stay inside.

“@NWS reports very poor air quality today, which will be unhealthy for people with heart/lung disease, older adults, children & teens. Reduced visibility expected 3-6PM. Wearing a mask may limit exposure for those with respiratory illnesses,” said Alert DC, Washington DC’s official source for emergency alerts, on Twitter.

DC’s deteriorating air quality was shared with a “code red” by the National Weather Service.

The district public schools canceled all outdoor activities, including athletic games, for Wednesday, due to the poor air quality, according to media reports.

New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement late Tuesday that emphasized that the air quality is deteriorating across the five boroughs due to smoke from wildfires in Canada, hitting 218 on the Air Quality Index — “Very Unhealthy” on the Levels of Health Concern — at 10 p.m.

The city’s public schools also canceled outdoor activities Wednesday, urging students to stay indoors.

The National Weather Service issued a warning map for bad air quality.

“An upper low is directing a plume of smoke from Canadian wildfires south and across the East, including urban areas along I-95. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions can be expected from the Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast,” it said.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to reach as far south as the state of South Carolina, according to estimates.

A new surge of thick smoke is expected to drift into New York City and Philadelphia by Wednesday afternoon, lasting through the evening, said media reports.

Firefighters are scrambling to put out the blazes in the province of Quebec, where more than 160 forest fires are currently active, according to Canadian officials.

There have been 2,214 wildfires in Canada in 2023 and approximately 3.3 million hectares (8.1 million acres) have been burned, said Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.

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