Worst wildfires in Canada. Worst air pollution in North Eastern U.S.
A storm system off of Nova Scotia pushed smoke south and then east, causing major northeast US cities to feel the brunt of it on Wednesday.
The New York City Air Quality index has reached 392, even higher than the record set earlier in the day, according to the Airflow Index.
There are fires in nearly all of Canada’s provinces and territories, with the eastern province of Quebec among the worst affected. The province, Canada’s second-most populous, has suffered four times its 10-year average of wildfires so far this year.
DEWS. Canada. US. intel:#Canada | #NYC #BREAKING Smoke from the hundreds of wildfires blazing in eastern Canada has drifted south, casting a hazy pall over New York City and triggering air alerts from Minnesota to Massachusetts.
— WayneTech SPFX®️ (@WayneTechSPFX) June 7, 2023
In Ontario, a layer of haze blanketed parts of… pic.twitter.com/iKQdGLZGGH
In Toronto and much of the Canadian province of Ontario, the air quality index is projected to be at “high risk” levels until at least Thursday evening.
Environment Canada predicts poor air quality will likely persist into the weekend.
The New York State Air Quality Index also projects air levels to remain “unhealthy” for New York City and Long Island on Thursday.
Washington DC is also bracing for poor air levels into Thursday as smoke drifts south.
A storm system off the coast of Nova Scotia is the driving factor behind the wildfire smoke traveling south into the US and then towards the east.
Environment Canada says a low pressure system may bring cleaner air to the region on Sunday.
It is expected that the smoke will still be seen and felt for the next few days, as fires in Quebec continue to burn.
As of Wednesday, the Canadian province has 149 active forest fires, with most of them deemed out of control.
The truth about the Canadian wildfires. Watch until the end... #insidejob #CanadaOnFire #CanadaWildfires pic.twitter.com/HeAKUl5YS1
— Jonny (@JonnyDCarter) June 7, 2023
75M Americans breathing unhealthy air due to Canada fires
Check out this almost unbelievable time-lapse of wildfire smoke consuming the World Trade Center and the New York City skyline.
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) June 7, 2023
Those vulnerable to poor air quality, including seniors and young children, should limit time outdoors if possible.
More: https://t.co/ChRuWv7X6E pic.twitter.com/mtKtLun8lN
Stay safe
If you’re in a smoke affected area, here’s some advice on how to stay safe.
Dr Susan O’Mara, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Medstar Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC.
- Smoke inhalation causes inflammation in the lungs, threatening the small airways, she explains
- Anyone with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should stay indoors, to reduce swelling of the airways. “This is the time to be taking all your medicines as directed and on time”
- Symptoms of smoke inhalation include wheezing, coughing, runny nose and eyes. Seek medical attention if you begin to feel short of breath
- Staying indoors and utilizing air purifiers and conditioners are the most helpful measures as the air quality remains poor
- If you must go outside, wear an N95 mask. Surgical, cloth and gator masks don’t protect you from small particles, but an N95 will
- Limit outdoor activity to only what’s necessary – no strenuous excercise
Wow.
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) June 7, 2023
New York City currently has the WORST air quality it has EVER had!!
Visibility is horrible, and the entire city smells like a campfire. pic.twitter.com/ODBIac91uu
Air Quality Index (AQI)
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The AQI indicates how clean or polluted the air is around you. The index runs from 0-500 and the higher the number, the worse it is for your health.
Anything from 151-200 is designated as “unhealthy”. When the number is between 201-300 it’s “very unhealthy” and the the risk is increased for everyone. The highest level is “hazardous” and occurs when the AQI is above 301.
These are the AQI levels in a handful of US east coast cities as of 5 PM EST.
- New York, NY – “hazardous” – 413
- Buffalo, NY – “unhealthy” – 179
- Washington, DC – “unhealthy” – 180
- Atlanta, GA – “unhealthy for sensitive groups” – 122
