New York City in code red ‘unhealthy’ air quality as Canadian wildfire smoke pours into Northeast
Thick smoke from wildfires in Canada has drifted into the skies over the Northeastern United States, triggering air quality alerts in New York City and prompting officials to urge vulnerable individuals to remain indoors as air quality reaches unhealthy levels. Even the healthiest people may experience health effects from the smoke at these levels, with sensitive individuals at risk of more severe symptoms, according to the Fox Forecast Center. The smoke has begun creeping into eastern New York and western New England, and Fox Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin has warned that the smoke is anticipated to continue throughout the week, with some relief predicted towards the end of the week over parts of Eastern Canada and the Great Lakes. Canada is experiencing wildfires from coast to coast, 425 in all, with more than half out of control; so far, fires have charred nearly 9.39 million acres, larger than the state of Connecticut and 17 times the 20-year average.
FAQs:
What is causing the smoke in the Northeastern United States?
Wildfires in Canada, which have charred nearly 9.39 million acres, are responsible for the smoke lingering over the Northeastern United States.
What are the risks of the smoke?
Air quality alerts have been triggered as levels of smoke reach unhealthy heights, even for healthy individuals. Sensitive people are particularly at risk and should remain indoors, while others may experience health effects from the smoke.
When can we expect relief from the smoke?
The smoke is expected to continue throughout the week, but some relief is predicted by the end of the week over pockets of Eastern Canada and the Great Lakes.
Canadian Wildfire Smoke Causes Code Red Air Quality in New York City and Northeastern US.
Multiple wildfires burning in Canada have caused thick, acrid smoke to spread across the skies in the Northeastern United States. Air quality alerts have been issued for New York City and the surrounding areas, with officials urging those sensitive to smoke to remain indoors. The smoke has led to unhealthy air quality levels, which may even affect healthy individuals and cause serious health effects for sensitive groups. FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin has warned that the haze could be a concern for air quality, with computer models showing that the smoke will continue to drift across the Northeast until at least Friday. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre has reported that there are currently 425 active fires burning in Canada, charring 9.39 million acres of land and forcing over 100,000 people to evacuate. Wildfire season in Canada runs through September, but the surrounding areas are also at risk due to an unusual weather pattern that has set up a rare critical fire risk for the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas.