NYC to be clouded by Canadian wildfire smoke through Sunday
New York City is currently battling alarming air pollution levels, with conditions described as “unhealthy” due to smoke from wildfires burning hundreds of miles away in Canada. A thick haze of orange smoke has been lingering over the city for days as all five of its boroughs were placed under an Air Quality Health Advisory. Mayor Eric Adams has urged New Yorkers with heart or breathing issues to limit outdoor activities to “the absolute necessities”. The air quality in the city is expected to remain unhealthy until Sunday, with New York City’s public schools canceling all outdoor activities on Wednesday due to the smog.
FAQs:
Q: What is causing the smoke in New York City?
A: The smoke is coming from wildfires burning in Canada, specifically in Quebec where 110 of the more than 150 active fires are considered out of control.
Q: How long will the smog last?
A: The smog is expected to persist until Sunday, with New York City’s air quality already being described as “unhealthy”.
Q: What is the government doing to address the issue?
A: Mayor Eric Adams has urged New Yorkers with heart or breathing issues to limit their outdoor activities to “the absolute necessities”. New York City’s public schools have also canceled all outdoor activities.
Q: What are the health risks associated with breathing smog?
A: The smog can cause respiratory issues, especially in those who suffer from asthma or allergies. The air quality has been described as “unhealthy” and conditions are expected to deteriorate before starting to improve on Sunday.
Q: Where else are these wildfires burning?
A: The wildfires are burning in eastern Canada, particularly in Quebec, but smoke has been moving downstream from fires as far as British Columbia and Nova Scotia.
Canadian Wildfire Smoke to Obscure NYC Skyline until Sunday.
New York City was ranked as the second-worst city in the world for air pollution on Wednesday morning as thick smoke from wildfires in Canada caused an ominous orange haze to creep over the city for a second consecutive day. All five boroughs were placed under an Air Quality Health Advisory until Thursday morning, as smoky, “unhealthy” air is expected to linger until Sunday. Mayor Eric Adams has urged residents with heart or breathing issues to limit time spent outdoors to only “absolute necessities.” By 10 p.m. on Tuesday, air quality in parts of the city had reached a “very unhealthy” level. As the haze is set to continue, New York City’s public schools have cancelled all outdoor activities. The smoke is expected to be pushed south from over 150 forest fires in Quebec, 110 of which have been classed as out of control.