Smoke from hundreds of wildfires in Canada reached Europe on Friday after blanketing provinces and large parts of the United States in thick smoke this week.
And while the noxious smoke was finally easing over the northeast on Friday, the fires still posed a major threat.
More than 420 fires are raging across Canada from British Columbia in the west to Nova Scotia in the east. At least half of these fires are burning out of control, and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes.
While air quality improved in large cities like New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia on Friday, pollution increased across central and southern states including the cities of Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
Global temperature rise, caused by emissions from burning fossil fuels, is leading to more large, erratic wildfires around the world. And it’s a vicious circle: the emissions pumped into the atmosphere by fires add to global heating, further drying out the land and vegetation, making it more susceptible to catching fire.
Key Points
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New York air pollution downgraded to ‘unhealthy’ as smoke moves southwards
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Smoke moves south covering Midwest and Ohio Valley
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Check smoke forecast for Friday
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What is code red, purple and orange air quality?
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Why wildfires are raging in Canada?
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Watch: Apocalyptic time-lapse shows New York disappear into orange smoke from Canada wildfires
Wildfires are causing heavy air pollution. So what’s causing the wildfires?
Wednesday 7 June 2023 15:24 , Louise Boyle
Climate scientists agree: although fires are part of the ecosystem in some regions, the climate crisis is making them more frequent and intense.
Dozens of studies have linked larger wildfires to global heating that is caused by emissions from burning of fossil fuels. The last decade has been the hottest on record globally.
Snow melt earlier in the year combined with droughts and higher temperatures lead to drier soil and vegetation which is primed to burn.
In the US, the last National Climate Assessment, produced by the federal government, linked “human-caused climate change” with the rise in wildfires.
Wildfires and climate change form a vicious circle: the carbon pumped into the atmosphere by fires increases global heating, further drying out the land and vegetation, making it more susceptible to catching fire.
The New York City Mayor’s Office speaks about the air quality – watch live
Wednesday 7 June 2023 15:32 , Louise Boyle
You can watch the New York City Mayor’s Office discuss the air quality issues at the link here.
NYC and DC public schools cancel outdoor activities as wildfire smoke plagues East Coast
Wednesday 7 June 2023 15:45 , Louise Boyle
New York City and Washington DC have canceled outdoor activities in public schools as wildfire smoke drifting from Canada clouds the skies and creates unhealthy air conditions across the northeastern US.
Officials anticipate air quality to improve on 7 June but will likely deteriorate later in the day, according to forecasters, after eye-watering smoke and polluted conditions triggered alerts across the region. Thirteen states have issued air quality alerts.
Thick smoke was expected to drift across New York City and Philadelphia through Wednesday afternoon. Smoke is expected to reach as far south as South Carolina.
My colleague Alex Woodward has more below.
NYC and DC public schools cancel outdoor activities as smoke plagues East Coast
Bladerunner-esque skies in New York state
Wednesday 7 June 2023 16:05 , Louise Boyle
The National Weather Service in Binghamton, New York, around 200 miles from the Canadian border, shared this vision of Blade Runner-esque skies on Wednesday morning.
“Sun is no longer visible, everything’s orange, the parking lot lights have come on, and we’re stuck at 50°F,” forecasters tweeted.
Wednesday 7 June 2023 16:20 , Louise Boyle
Residents in masks, darkened, hazy skies and a blood moon were among the scenes from the US Northeast to emerge late on Tuesday and into Wednesday due to plummeting air quality from Canada’s wildfires.
Read Stuti Mishra’s report on the unprecedented scenes below.
‘Apocalyptic’ photos capture smoky haze blanketing New York City
Quebec orders more evacuations as dozens of wildfires in Canada remain out of control
Wednesday 7 June 2023 16:40 , Louise Boyle
Northern Quebec’s largest town was being evacuated as firefighters worked to beat back threats from out-of-control blazes in remote communities in the northern and northwestern parts of the province.
According to the province’s forest fire prevention agency, more than 150 forest fires were burning in the province on Tuesday, including more than 110 deemed out of control. The intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. and parts of Eastern Canada in a haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.
The effects of hundreds of wildfires burning in Quebec could be felt as far away as New York City and New England, blotting out skylines and irritating throats.
Late Tuesday, authorities issued an evacuation order for Chibougamau, Quebec, a town of about 7,500 in the remote region of the province. Authorities said the evacuation was underway and promised more details Wednesday.
The Associated Press
What started the Canadian wildfires?
Wednesday 7 June 2023 17:01 , Louise Boyle
Canada is dealing with hundreds of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with many raging out of control.
How did they start?
What started the Canada wildfires? All we know about air quality alerts
Air quality to get worse in New York City later on Wednesday afternoon
Wednesday 7 June 2023 17:20 , Louise Boyle
Smoke will become more dense in New York City around 4pm local time on Wednesday, according to forecasters.
It is expected to be worse than it was around the evening commute on Tuesday, the Twitter account New York Metro Weather posted.
Public officials are advising New Yorkers to limit their time outdoors and to wear a mask to protect themselves from the air pollution. Low visibility will also be an issue.
Watch: Canadian wildfire smoke moves further south, blankets Washington DC
Wednesday 7 June 2023 17:40 , Louise Boyle
Climate activists demand New York legislators take more action on fossil fuel
Wednesday 7 June 2023 18:01 , Louise Boyle
Activists on Wednesday demanded that New York legislators take swifter action to tackle the fossil fuels driving the climate crisis of worsening wildfires and plummeting air quality.
They called for the state to pass the NY HEAT Act – aimed at making the transition to clean energy affordable and eliminating subsidies for fossil fuels.
“Right now in New York City, it looks, feels, and smells like the dystopian climate catastrophe experts have been warning us about for decades. But in the next 48 hours, the Assembly can pass a bill that will curb our reliance on fossil fuels and protect New Yorkers from the poisonous air that’s becoming more and more dangerous by the second,” said Food & Water Watch Northeast Region Director Alex Beauchamp.
“As New Yorkers choke on smoke, the Assembly is failing to meet the scale of the crisis. To prevent New York state from becoming a hellscape where just breathing increases our risk of asthma, the Assembly must pass NY HEAT now.”
Scenes from a smoke-wreathed Manhattan
Wednesday 7 June 2023 18:20 , Louise Boyle
BREAKING: Flights grounded at La Guardia Airport
Wednesday 7 June 2023 18:21 , Louise Boyle
Flights have been grounded at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport “due to low visibility” until 2pm local time, according to the Federal Aviation Authority.
Canada’s wildfire season starts early with a ferocious wave of blazes
Wednesday 7 June 2023 18:45 , Louise Boyle
Canada’s wildfire season started early this year and accelerated very quickly, exhausting firefighting resources across the country, Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre spokesperson Jennifer Kamau said.
Smoke from the blazes in various parts of the country has been lapping into the U.S. since last month but intensified with a recent spate of fires in Quebec, where more than 100 fires were burning and considered out of control Tuesday.
The largest town in Northern Quebec — Chibougamau, population about about 7,500 — was evacuated Tuesday, after another Quebec community was left to burn Monday, drawing the ire of local residents.
Quebec Premier François Legault said Monday that authorities had no choice because the fire around the hamlet of Clova was too intense to send in water bombers. That remained true Tuesday, he said, but he noted that no homes had burned.
Kamau said more than 950 firefighters and other personnel have already arrived from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and crews from Costa Rica will be arriving soon.
Across the border, the effects of the blazes blotted out skylines and irritated throats.
“It’s sunny, but there’s no sun,” Michele Kluk said as she emerged from a Target store in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, with “a bunch” of allergy medication in response to the air quality.
The Associated Press
Pictured: Lower Manhattan at 2pm on Wednesday
Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:05 , Louise Boyle
Today is ‘Clean Air Day’ in Canada
Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:33 , Louise Boyle
In a bitter twist, today – June 7, 2023 – is Clean Air Day in Canada, a time to “recognize how important good air quality is to our health, our environment, and the economy”.
In a press release, the Canadian government notes: “Air pollution knows no boundaries. It can affect every area of Canada including urban and rural areas. That’s why this year’s theme is ‘Clean Air Everywhere’.”
Air pollution contributes to over 15,000 premature deaths each year in Canada.
Toronto currently has the third worst air quality of any city in the world, according to global monitor IQAir.
New York City hits ‘hazardous’ levels of air pollution
Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:05 , Louise Boyle
New York City was ranked number one for the worst air quality in the world at 2pm local time on Wednesday.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) for the city is at 342 – a “hazardous” level of air pollution, according to global monitor IQAir.
In a sign of how extreme conditions are New Delhi in India – which regularly experiences terrible air quality – was in second place with an AQI of 190. Toronto is in fourth place with AQI 160.
Watch: ‘Unbelievable’ time-lapse of New York City being enshrouded in smoke
Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:23 , Louise Boyle
The National Weather Service described scenes in New York City as “almost unbelievable” as the agency shared a timelapse video of smoke enshrouding Manhattan.
“Those vulnerable to poor air quality, including seniors and young children, should limit time outdoors if possible,” NWS said.
Scenes from New York City on Wednesday June 7th, 2023
Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:40 , Louise Boyle
Looking back: ‘Bladerunner’ skies on the US West Coast
Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:00 , Louise Boyle
The United States has been here before: In September 2020, dozens of wildfires raging in California, Oregon and Washington blanketed the west coast in dense smoke and turned the sky a deep, menacing orange.
The Independent’s piece from 10 September 2020 is at the link below.
Why did the sky turn to orange and red during wildfires?
Satellites capture Quebec’s ferocious wildfires from space
Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:20 , Louise Boyle
Satellites have captured Quebec’s ferocious wildfires from space as smoke continues to blanket large parts of Canada and Northeastern United States.
“This cluster of fires is the main culprit for smoky skies across the Northeast US,” reported the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University.
Yankees and White Sox meet to decide whether they will play tonight’s game
Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:22 , Louise Boyle
Officials from the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox met at 4pm on Wednesday to decide whether to play tonight’s game, according to The New York Daily News.
This was the scene this afternoon at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx amid New York City’s precipitous decline in air quality.
More wildfire smoke possible in the coming days and weeks, National Weather Service says
Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:39 , Louise Boyle
While the wildfires in Canada remain “large, uncontained, and active, they will likely continue to generate smoke”, the US National Weather Service said on Wednesday.
“So in the next week or two at the very least, a lot will be determined by the wind direction and where that causes the smoke to spread,” the agency added.
The weather pattern will remain much the same through this weekend with a stalled low-pressure system near Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces.
This means northerly winds from the fires in Quebec, directing the smoke into portions of the east coast, NWS added.
Yankees, other pro sports teams cancel games as poor air quality continues
Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:00 , Josh Marcus
The MLB’s New York Yankees are among the numerous professional sports franchises that canceled games on Wednesday due to Canadian wildfires causing poor air quality throughout the Northeast.
The team announced on Wednesday it would reschedule a game against the Chicago White Sox for tomorrow.
Other teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies and the WNBA’s New York Liberty, also canceled games.
Flights were temporarily grounded due to ‘hazardous’ air pollution
Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:00 , Louise Boyle
Federal authorities temporarily grounded flights at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport “due to low visibility” from wildfire smoke smothering the East Coast.
Departures were grounded until 2pm (ET) on 7 June, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency also delayed flights from the upper midwestern US and on east coast bound for LaGuardia.
Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey also announced a ground delay. The airport announced that the “current smoke condition” may impact flights and urged travelers to check with their airlines “to determine the status of your flight.”
Alex Woodward has more below.
LaGuardia flights temporarily grounded as wildfire smoke clogs air travel across US
WATCH: Kathy Hochul addresses New York about air quality crisis
Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:22 , Josh Marcus
New York governor Kathy Hochul said in a press conference on Wednesday that the state is facing an “unprecedented situation” as wildfire smoke darkens the skies and air quality is plummeting.
“It is a very dangerous situation,” she said. “Last message, please don’t go out if you don’t have to…This is about your health and your family’s health. Stay indoors. Use the masks.”
The New York official warned that the plume of Canadian wildfire smoke above New York is shifting west, and said the worst of the conditions could abate by this weekend.
“We’re expecting over the next couple of days they’re going to be heading westward,” she said. “Buffalo and western New York are going to be in trouble tomorrow.”
Air quality rating continues to climb as smoke passes over New York
Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:37 , Josh Marcus
The Air Quality Index for New York City, which measures the level of harmful pollutants in the air, continues to climb well past safe levels, as wildfire smoke from Canada blankets the East Coast.
A recent reading from the federal government’s AirNow suggests AQI has climbed above 400, within the range federal regulators consider “hazardous” and suggesting “emergency conditions” where “everyone is more likely to be affected.”
How to protect pets from wildfire smoke amid air quality alert
Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:52 , Josh Marcus
New York City and much of the tri-state area has been blanketed by smoke caused by raging wildfires in Canada. The poor air conditions have continued to spread throughout the northeastern United States.
On Wednesday (7 June), New York City was ranked number one for the worst air quality in the world, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 342 and air pollution levels described as “hazardous”.
Many officials have since advised people to limit their time outdoors and wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke. Public schools have also cancelled outdoor activities, including recess and gym classes.
Experts estimate that each hour of exposure to wildfire smoke is equivalent to smoking cigarettes continuously for the same amount of time, but that’s just for humans. Imagine how wildfire smoke affects our beloved pets? In fact, poor air quality may pose an even greater risk to animals because of their much smaller size.
Meredith Clark has the full story.
How to protect pets from wildfire smoke amid air quality alert
New York will distribute 1 N95 million masks as wildfire problems continue
Wednesday 7 June 2023 23:10 , Josh Marcus
New York will distribute one million free N95 masks as wildfire smoke continues to blanket the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that 400,000 masks will be distributed at public transit stations, state parks, and New York City’s Javits convention centre.
Another 600,000 masks will be made available for local governments to use from the New York Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services stockpile.
New York air quality almost twice as bad as San Francisco during catastrophic wildfire season
Wednesday 7 June 2023 23:27 , Josh Marcus
Even during the worst of California fire seasons, the air quality wasn’t as bad as it is in New York right now.
Across the fire seasons between 2017 and 2020, in which some of the most destructive blazes in California history occured, air quality problems peaked at an AQI of 249, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The current AQI reading in New York is approaching double that figure.
WATCH: Mesmerising drone footage shows New York skyline blanketed in orange haze
Wednesday 7 June 2023 23:45 , Josh Marcus
Aerial footage captured above New York City shows an orange glow illuminating the skyline as smoke poured south from Canada’s devastating wildfires.
The mesmerising glow from the wildfire smoke blanketed the New York City skyline in an orange haze.
People have been advised to avoid going outdoors and to wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke.
Authorities temporarily grounded flights at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport “due to low visibility” while schools cancelled outdoor activities.
Watch more at Independent TV.
‘I can’t breathe’: Jodie Comer halts broadway show due to New York air quality
Thursday 8 June 2023 00:00 , Josh Marcus
Jodie Comer ended her one-woman show Prima Facie early on Wednesday (7 June) due to the “hazardous” air quality in New York.
The air quality in the US city reached record lows after thick smoke billowed south from Canada’s devastating wildfires.
An audience member at the matinee production of Prima Facie at the John Golden Theatre told Deadline that Comer, 30, appeared on stage 10 minutes late.
Just a few minutes later, the Killing Eve star was off again after reportedly telling a stage manager: “I can’t breathe in this air.”
Tom Murray has the full story for The Independent.
Jodie Comer halts broadway show due to New York air quality: ‘I can’t breathe’
Livecam shows smoke-choked Empire State Building
Thursday 8 June 2023 00:16 , Josh Marcus
New York’s iconic skyline is barely visible today that’s to wildfire smoke blanketing the sky.
You can tune into the latest conditions surrounding the Empire State Building with a livecam here.
‘Hamilton’ and ‘Hamlet’ shut down productions amid continued wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 00:30 , Josh Marcus
Broadway shows like Hamilton as well as New York fixtures like Free Shakespeare in the Park have canceled evening shows tonight, as wildfire smoke continues to fill the New York City sky.
“Tonight’s performance of Hamilton will not go on as scheduled,” Shane Marshall Brown, a spokesman for the show, told The New York Times in a statement. “The hazardous air quality in New York City has made it impossible for a number of our artists to perform this evening. Shows will resume as scheduled tomorrow. We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to visit your point of purchase for refund or exchange.”
Twitter users notice ironic video game billboard in NYC that reads, ‘Welcome to hell’
Thursday 8 June 2023 00:50 , Josh Marcus
Call it advertising imitating life.
New Yorkers on social media noticed a billboard with an ironic message on Wednesday as wildfire smoke made the sky glow an eerie shade of orange.
The ad, for the video game Diablo IV, read, “Welcome to hell, New York,” and showed a demon glaring down at passersby.
After enough Twitter users pointed out the strange juxtaposition, an executive from the game’s creator weighed in.
“I would like to clarify that Blizzard has no affiliation or partnership with the wildfires in Canada,” Activision Blizzard COO Lulu Cheng Meservy wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. “In fact we are firmly against wildfires and condemn them in the strongest terms.”
What are members of Congress saying about the wildfire smoke?
Thursday 8 June 2023 01:15 , Josh Marcus
Elected leaders have weighed in about the wildfire smoke traveling across the East Coast. Here are some of the most notable comments.
Don’t forget: plenty can’t ‘stay inside’ during New York air crisis
Thursday 8 June 2023 01:35 , Josh Marcus
The climate crisis affects all of us, but it doesn’t affect all of us equally.
As Gustavo Ajche, an organiser for delivery workers in New York City reminds us, it is working class people and the poor who have the least ability to pack up, stay inside, and avoid the worst impacts.
“We are essential workers we are working at all times regardless of the weather conditions, very hot, extreme cold, storms and this week poor air quality,” he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.
AOC and Bernie Sanders warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe to come
Thursday 8 June 2023 01:50 , Josh Marcus
Leaders from across the worlds of politics, entertainment, and activism warned on Wednesday that the wildfire smoke blanketing the East Coast today is a sign of the climate crisis.
“It bears repeating how unprepared we are for the climate crisis,” New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, referencing the smoke and recent soaring temperatures in Puerto Rico. “We must adapt our food systems, energy grids, infrastructure, healthcare, etc ASAP to prepare for what’s to come and catch up to what is already here.”
Fellow progressive Bernie Sanders sounded a similar note, writing on Twitter: “Right now, 98 MILLION people on the East Coast are under air quality alerts from Canadian fires and, last night, NYC had the worst air quality in the world.”
More details in our full story.
AOC and Bernie warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe
Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next
Thursday 8 June 2023 02:50 , Josh Marcus
The northeast of the United States is battling smoke from 400 wildfires raging across Canada which have burned more than 6 million acres and led to mass evacuations.
And it’s far from over: Canadian officials warned that this could be the country’s worst wildfire season on record.
Smoke has darkened skies and made it difficult to breathe in at least half a dozen states and large parts of Canada, including major cities like New York, Toronto, Ottawa, Washington DC and Philadelphia.
Louise Boyle has the details.
Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next
Wildfire smoke shuts down multiple Broadway shows
Thursday 8 June 2023 03:50 , Josh Marcus
Jodie Comer ended her one-woman show Prima Facie early on Wednesday (7 June) due to the “hazardous” air quality in New York.
The air quality in the US city reached record lows after thick smoke billowed south from Canada’s devastating wildfires.
An audience member at the matinee production of Prima Facie at the John Golden Theatre told Deadline that Comer, 30, appeared on stage 10 minutes late.
Tom Murray reports.
Jodie Comer halts Broadway show due to New York air quality: ‘I can’t breathe’
Photos from New York’s apocalyptic day of wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 04:50 , Josh Marcus
The skies across the northeastern United States, including New York were engulfed by smoke flowing from Canada as roughly 400 wildfires continue to rage in the country.
New York City was the world’s most polluted major city on Wednesday, surpassing Delhi, Baghdad, Kuwait and Dhaka, according to ratings by IQAir, a Swiss technology company that monitors air quality.
The worst impact of the pollution was visible in the tri-state area where visibility plummeted and skies turned hazy. The sun and the moon were also blotted to a deep orange by the smoky conditions.
‘Apocalyptic’ photos capture smoky haze blanketing New York City
New York pollution skyrockets as wildfire smoke continues
Thursday 8 June 2023 05:50 , Josh Marcus
Yellowing and ashen skies smothered New York City’s skyline on Wednesday as wildfire smoke drifting from Canada sparked unhealthy air conditions across the northeastern US.
Air quality above New York had improved slightly on 7 June but rapidly deteriorated in the afternoon, reaching an air quality index of more than 400 in some parts of the city – the worst level globally – and roughly 58 times the World Health Organization’s guidelines.
The federal government’s index for measuring air quality considers anything above 300 “hazardous”. By comparison, the index over the weekend was 20.
Alex Woodward reports.
New York City air pollution from wildfire smoke spikes to hazardous ratings
Video: George Washington Bridge disappears under smoke from Canadian Wildfires
Thursday 8 June 2023 06:36 , Stuti Mishra
How long will air pollution in New York last?
Thursday 8 June 2023 07:00 , Stuti Mishra
New York City has been blanketed in thick smoke last two days with air quality continuing to plummet prompting health alerts across the Northeastern United States.
However, there still seems no end in sight as weather systems are expected to hardly budge.
The smoky blanket billowing from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia and sending plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina can persist into Thursday and possibly the weekend, experts say.
That means at least another day, or more, of a dystopian-style detour that’s chased players from ballfields, actors from Broadway stages, delayed thousands of flights and sparked a resurgence in mask-wearing and remote work — all while raising concerns about the health effects of prolonged exposure to such bad air.
The weather system that’s driving the great Canadian-American smoke out — a low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia — “will probably be hanging around at least for the next few days,” US National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said.
Conditions are likely to remain unhealthy, at least until the wind direction changes or the fires get put out.
Bryan Ramsey, US National Weather Service meteorologist
“Since the fires are raging — they’re really large — they’re probably going to continue for weeks. But it’s really just going be all about the wind shift.”
The Independent’s senior climate correspondent Louise Boyle has this wildfire smoke tracker where you can check where the pollution is headed next:
Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next
How to protect pets from wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 22:21 , Ariana Baio
Experts estimate that each hour of exposure to wildfire smoke is equivalent to smoking cigarettes continuously for the same amount of time, but that’s just for humans. Poor air quality may pose an even greater risk to animals because of their much smaller size.
Meredith Clark reports:
How to protect pets from wildfire smoke amid air quality alert
All the dos and don’ts to keep safe from wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 07:33 , Stuti Mishra
As the wildfires continue to rage on, air quality in New York is expected to remain worse for a few more days, according to forecasters.But amidst an ongoing climate crisis, many climate scientists warn that wildfires could become more frequent and intense, leading to more air pollution.
Many officials have urged people to limit their time outdoors and wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke. In fact, wildfire smoke carries a number of pollutants that can pose a number of risks and hazardous effects.
My colleague Meredith Clark has this list of dos and don’ts to help keep yourself safe during the Code Red air quality alert.
From masks to AC units: All the dos and don’ts to keep safe from wildfire smoke
Wildfires ground New York-based flights
Thursday 8 June 2023 07:50 , Josh Marcus
Federal authorities temporarily grounded flights at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport “due to low visibility” from wildfire smoke smothering the East Coast.
Departures were grounded until 2pm ET on 7 June, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency also delayed flights from the upper midwestern US and on East Coast bound for LaGuardia.
Newark Liberty International Airport, another nearby major travel hub, also announced a ground delay. The airport announced that the “current smoke condition” may impact flights and urged travelers to check with their airlines “to determine the status of your flight.”
Wind patterns bringing smoke across the northeast “could impact travel through the airports,” according to FAA traffic management officer Samuel Ausby. More than 16,200 flights have been delayed and 79 flights were canceled by 1pm on Wednesday, according to FlightAware.
Alex Woodward has the details.
LaGuardia flights temporarily grounded as wildfire smoke clogs air travel across US
Canadian wildfire evacuees ‘won’t be able to return to their homes until next week’
Thursday 8 June 2023 08:10 , Stuti Mishra
Thousands of residents in Canada remain displaced from their homes as raging wildfires continue to wreak havoc, in what has turned out to be the country’s “worst wildfire season ever”.
The current count stands at over 20,000 evacuees, with approximately 11,400 individuals hailing from remote regions in northern Quebec as authorities fear the number is expected to rise with the fires rapidly expanding their reach.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Quebec premier Francois Legault said evacuees will not be able to return to their communities until next week, CBC news reported.
Mr Legault said dry weather and strong winds are creating dangerous conditions and heavy smoke in areas that have been evacuated so far.
I want us to be realistic and not have rose-coloured glasses. We won’t have rain in the next few days.
Quebec premier Francois Legault
Understanding Air Quality alerts: What does ‘hazardous’ air mean?
Thursday 8 June 2023 08:35 , Stuti Mishra
As smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada engulfs the US East Coast, air quality alerts in the “hazardous” category have been issued in some areas. But what exactly do “code red”, “very unhealthy” or “hazardous” alerts signify?
The Air Quality Index (AQI), presented on the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website, employs a colour-coded system to rank air quality on a 500-point scale, providing the public with an easy-to-understand assessment of the health effects of the surrounding air.
The lower end of the scale, which is green, represents healthy air, while the higher ends, colour coded as red, purple and maroon, represent hazardous and extremely unhealthy conditions.
Currently, New York City’s air quality falls within the purple category, denoting hazardous conditions.
The AQI takes into account some key measures of air pollution, such as particle pollution, ground-level ozone and gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. With wildfire smoke flowing from Canada, these dangerous gases have increased in the atmosphere, particularly the fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which is a pollutant.
These pollutants can have various health impacts, often leading to respiratory system irritation, inflammation and the potential development of conditions such as asthma and heart disease.
The scale levels are determined based on the concentration of pollutants in the air, measured in parts per million, over specific time periods – usually an hour, eight hours or 24 hours, depending on the pollutant.
While an AQI of orange was unhealthy for vulnerable individuals, an AQI level of red is considered unhealthy for all individuals, with purple deemed “hazardous” for everyone.
There are various health advisories in place urging residents to limit outdoor activities and wear masks specifically designed to filter out fine particles, like N95 masks.
AOC and Bernie Sanders warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe to come
Thursday 8 June 2023 08:50 , Josh Marcus
Leaders from across the worlds of politics, entertainment, and activism warned on Wednesday that the wildfire smoke blanketing the East Coast today is a sign of the climate crisis.
“It bears repeating how unprepared we are for the climate crisis,” New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, referencing the smoke and recent soaring temperatures in Puerto Rico. “We must adapt our food systems, energy grids, infrastructure, healthcare, etc ASAP to prepare for what’s to come and catch up to what is already here.”
Fellow progressive Bernie Sanders sounded a similar note, writing on Twitter: “Right now, 98 MILLION people on the East Coast are under air quality alerts from Canadian fires and, last night, NYC had the worst air quality in the world.”
More details in our full story.
AOC and Bernie warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe
Apocalyptic time-lapse shows New York disappear into orange smoke from Canada wildfires
Thursday 8 June 2023 09:10 , Stuti Mishra
Why wildfires are raging in Canada?
Thursday 8 June 2023 09:30 , Stuti Mishra
Canada is dealing with a series of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with hundreds of forest fires burning.
The smoke has travelled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May.
Although it’s not unusual for Canada to suffer from wildfires, this year is turning out to be the worst on record for the country. Scientists said the climate crisis is making such phenomena more frequent and intense.
Scott Duncan, a London-based meteorologist, said “extreme and prolonged hot and dry conditions in Canada” have made it “effortless for wildfires to rage”.
“Canada was at the epicentre of the most significant heat anomaly on the planet in May,” he noted.
Last month was the second warmest May on record for the global average temperature. So far this year, large parts of Asia, Europe and the Americas have suffered an unusually early heatwave that scientists have attributed to the climate crisis.
Here’s a summary of what started the Canada wildfires, what’s being evaluated and some suggested precautions:
What started the Canada wildfires? All we know about air quality alerts
Meanwhile in Hawaii
Thursday 8 June 2023 09:50 , Josh Marcus
New York isn’t the only place dealing with a big environmental challenge.
Kilauea, the volcano on Hawaii‘s Big Island, erupted early Wednesday morning.
The US Geological Survey captured the drama of the eruption at the volcano’s Halema’uma’u crater, where lava leaped into the air from the maw of the mountain.
The agency said the eruption poses no risk to the public, and noted that lava has not been ejected further than the crater’s floor. It did raise the volcano alert warning to red, noting that ash resulting from the disruption could pose a risk to aviators.
Graig Graziosi has the story.
Kilauea erupts on Hawaii’s Big Island sparking aviation red alert
New York giving away 1m N95 masks ask smoke problems continue
Thursday 8 June 2023 10:10 , Josh Marcus
New York officials will be distributing 1 million masks in the coming days as wildfire smoke continues to pose health risks.
Here’s more info from Governor Kathy Hochul.
How to check the air quality near you
Thursday 8 June 2023 10:30 , Josh Marcus
AirNow, a site from the federal government, has an easy-to-use public website listing air quality across the US.
You can find it here.
Raging wildfires burning ‘critical infrastructure’ in Canada
Thursday 8 June 2023 10:55 , Stuti Mishra
Hundreds of uncontrolled forest fires continue to blaze across Canada, threatening critical infrastructure, forcing evacuations and sending a blanket of smoky air wafting over Canadian and US cities.
“Across the country as of today, there are 414 wildfires burning, 239 of which are determined to be out of control,” he told a briefing. The giant eastern province of Quebec is among the worst affected.”
“We’ve … seen continued impacts to critical infrastructure in Quebec such as roads and rural closures, telecommunication interruptions and high voltage power lines being threatened by the growing fires,” said federal minister of emergency preparedness Bill Blair.
Wildfires have burned ’15 times more area’ than 10-year average
Thursday 8 June 2023 11:10 , Stuti Mishra
Wildfires are common in Canada’s western provinces, but this year, flames have mushroomed rapidly in the country’s east, making it the worst-ever start to the season.
About 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres) have already burned, officials said.
This is equivalent to about 15 times the 10-year average, federal minister of emergency preparedness Bill Blair said.
Current New York air quality ‘worse than after 9/11 attacks’
Thursday 8 June 2023 11:30 , Stuti Mishra
The air quality in New York has plummeted to its worst point since at least the 1980s as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to engulf the city.
From last three days the city has been blanketed in a toxic orange haze. At one point on Wednesday, New York’s air quality index rose to above 350, which is considered “very hazardous”.
Currently the index has recovered a bit but still remains at 177 in the “very unhealthy category”.
Describing the historic levels of pollution on Wednesday, Fox Forecast Centre meteorologist Brian Mastro said the air quality was “even worse than after the September 11 attacks” but said the air was fortunately less toxic than the debris cloud from the terror attack.
Air quality index for New York, Pennsylvania and Washington to plummet further
Thursday 8 June 2023 12:00 , Stuti Mishra
Poor air quality is expected to continue onto Thursday, especially for New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, experts said.
The bulk of smoke from the eastern Canada wildfires is expected to expand towards the Mid-Atlantic, causing major northeast US cities to feel the brunt once again.
Some places further south can see more smoke today with an impact expected as far as South Carolina.
While some predictions said NYC might get some relief by Thursday evening, US National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said “conditions are likely to remain unhealthy for at least the next few days”, with no end in sight for the wildfires.
Cities with the worst air quality in the US
Thursday 8 June 2023 12:30 , Stuti Mishra
As the entire northeastern US continues to be blanketed by grey haze from raging wildfires in Quebec, many cities have seen their air quality index plummet.
Some of the worst scenes have been witnessed in New York, which saw the air quality index rise up above 350 briefly yesterday, but several other cities are bearing the brunt as well, with toxic smoke prompting health advisories.
Here is a list of major cities that currently have some of the worst levels of pollution in the US:
New York
The Big Apple continues to be in the “very unhealthy” category with the air quality index currently standing at 185. The city’s authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor exposure and wear N95 masks to protect themselves.
Philadelphia
With an AQI of 263, Philadelphia remains one of the polluted cities in the US currently, as nearby areas in Pennsylvania also suffer from toxic smoke. The PM2.5 concentration in Philadelphia is currently 42.7 times the WHO’s annual air quality guideline value.
Washington and Baltimore
The US capital and the adjoining Baltimore city are both suffering from high levels of air pollution with the air quality index currently rating them at 220 and above. The levels, considered “very unhealthy”, are expected to worsen over the day as more toxic plumes flow inwards.
Detroit
Following New York, Detroit remains the most polluted city in the US for last two days, currently standing at the fifth spot in IQAir’s list of most polluted metropolitan cities worldwide.The Michigan city currently has an air quality rating of 155.
Aerial photos reveal the scale of devastating Canadian wildfires
Thursday 8 June 2023 13:00 , Stuti Mishra
How to protect pets from wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 13:30 , Stuti Mishra
Experts estimate that each hour of exposure to wildfire smoke is equivalent to smoking cigarettes continuously for the same amount of time, but that’s just for humans. Poor air quality may pose an even greater risk to animals because of their much smaller size.
My colleague Meredith Clark has these tips on protecting your pets from wildfire smoke as air quality alerts continue throughout New York.
How to protect pets from wildfire smoke amid air quality alert
Good morning from New York – where the air is still ‘very unhealthy’
Thursday 8 June 2023 14:04 , Louise Boyle
Air quality alerts were issued for much of the eastern seaboard again on Thursday as wildfire smoke continues to drift south from wildfires raging out of control in Canada. Some of the worst air quality in the US is currently in parts of Pennsylvania, around Philadelphia, along with Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; and Washington DC.At 9am in New York City, the air was classed as “Very Unhealthy” on the Air Quality Index (AQI) – the system used by public officials to monitor air pollution. The sky is still thick with clouds but the sun appeared a little more visible than on Wednesday when the city was immersed in a dank, orangey soup.
Pictured: Smoky skies over the capital
Thursday 8 June 2023 14:30 , Louise Boyle
Members of the Marine Corps practice for an upcoming parade under skies filled with smoke near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on Thursday morning.
DC issued a rare code purple air quality alert as a result of the smoke, which is affecting large portions of the northeastern United States (Credit: EPA/Jim Lo Scalzo)
‘I can’t breathe’: New York air quality forces Jodie Comer to end Broadway performance after 10 minutes
Thursday 8 June 2023 14:50 , Louise Boyle
Jodie Comer ended her one-woman show, Prima Facie, early on Wednesday due to the “hazardous” air quality in New York caused by smoke billowing south from Canada’s devastating wildfires.
An audience member at the matinee production of Prima Facie at the John Golden Theatre told Deadline that Comer appeared on stage 10 minutes late.
Just a few minutes later, the Killing Eve star left, reportedly telling a stage manager: “I can’t breathe in this air.”
Tom Murray has more below
New York air quality forces Jodie Comer to end Broadway performance after 10 minutes
New York makes N95 masks available
Thursday 8 June 2023 15:04 , Louise Boyle
New York made 1 million N95 masks available on Thursday that can be picked up at state facilities.
Some 400,000 will be distributed at public transit hubs including Port Authority in Manhattan.
They will also be handed out at New York state parks and the Javits Center on the west side of Manhattan.
Watch: George Washington Bridge disappears under smoke from Canadian Wildfires
Thursday 8 June 2023 15:30 , Louise Boyle
Biden sends firefighters to support Canada in wildfire battle
Thursday 8 June 2023 15:50 , Louise Boyle
President Joe Biden announced on Wedneday that he was sending more than 600 US firefighters and support personnel, along with equipment, to help Canada tackle its more than 400 wildfires.
The president noted that wildfires “are intensifying because of the climate crisis”.
He also advised that Americans experiencing dangerous air pollution, especially those with health conditions, take steps to protect themselves.
Washington DC under ‘Code Purple’ with worst air quality in years
Thursday 8 June 2023 16:17 , Louise Boyle
Washington DC was under “Code Purple” on Thursday as air quality dropped to very unhealthy, and hazardous, conditions.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered schools to cancel outdoor recess, sports and field trips.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) – used to measure air pollution – hit 293, according to the government monitor AirNow.gov.
It meant that unhealthy conditions for the general population but particularly those with underlying health issues.
The AQI runs from 0-500 with “satisfactory” air quality somewhere in the 0-50 range.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens were advised to avoid physical activities outdoors.
In general, people were advise to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and keep outdoor activities short.
Pictured: The US Northeast blanketed in wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 16:30 , Louise Boyle
Smoky haze blanketing US and Canada could last into the weekend
Thursday 8 June 2023 16:50 , Louise Boyle
On air quality maps, purple signifies the worst of it. In reality, it’s a thick, hazardous haze that’s disrupting daily life for millions of people across the U.S. and Canada, blotting out skylines and turning skies orange, The Associated Press reports.
And with weather systems expected to hardly budge, the smoky blanket billowing from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia and sending plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina and northern Europe should persist into Thursday and possibly the weekend.
That means at least another day, or more, of a dystopian-style detour that’s chased players from ballfields, actors from Broadway stages, delayed thousands of flights and sparked a resurgence in mask wearing and remote work — all while raising concerns about the health effects of prolonged exposure to such bad air.
The weather system that’s driving the great Canadian-American smoke out — a low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia — “will probably be hanging around at least for the next few days,” U.S. National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said.
“Conditions are likely to remain unhealthy, at least until the wind direction changes or the fires get put out,” Ramsey said. “Since the fires are raging — they’re really large — they’re probably going to continue for weeks. But it’s really just going be all about the wind shift.”
The Associated Press
Breaking: More sports cancellations due to wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 17:09 , Louise Boyle
Belmont Park in Elmont New York cancelled horse racing on Thursday due to poor air quality, The Associated Press reported.
There were also more cancellations in Major League Baseball with the Washington Nationals also postponing Thursday’s game.
Formula 1 gives Montreal Grand Prix update amid wildfires in Quebec
Thursday 8 June 2023 17:30 , Louise Boyle
Formula 1 has insisted next week’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is not at risk despite raging wildfires in the province of Quebec, where the city is located.
More than 400 wildfires have erupted across Canada and 7 million acres have been destroyed so far. In Quebec, there have been mass evacuations as officials warned this could be the country’s worst wildfire season on record.
In Montreal, thick smoke descended on the city this week but F1 insist the upcoming race meet at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will go ahead as planned.
The Independent’s Formula 1 Correspondent, Kieran Jackson, has more
F1 gives Canadian Grand Prix update after smoke descends on Montreal
Pictured: New York City’s air quality remains noxious
Thursday 8 June 2023 17:50 , Louise Boyle
A view of the bridges over a hazy East River as smoke from wildfires burning in Canada continues to create unhealthy air quality conditions in New York on Thursday morning.
Watch: How to protect your pets against wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 18:30 , Louise Boyle
Washington DC under ‘ Code Purple’
Thursday 8 June 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio
As the clouds of heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires makes it way toward Washington DC, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments enacted a “Code Purple” warning.
The warning means air quality is “very unhealthy” and in some areas “hazardous” putting millions of people in the DC area at risk.
The Washington Nationals postponed their Thursday game, The National Zoo closed, schools have moved recess inside and those who need to be outdoors are advised to wear a N95 or KN95 face covering.
White House issues statement on fires
Thursday 8 June 2023 19:30 , Ariana Baio
President Joe Biden has issued a statement about the wildfires in Canada, whose smoke is causing dangerous air quality conditions for people in the US.
“This morning, millions of Americans are experiencing the effects of smoke resulting from devastating wildfires burning in Canada, another stark reminder of the impacts of climate change. Since May, more than 600 U.S. firefighters, support personnel, and firefighting assets have been deployed, working alongside Canadian firefighters to tackle what is likely to be the worst fire season in Canadian history, and one that has huge impacts here in the United States.”
“Yesterday I spoke with Prime Minister Trudeau and offered any additional help Canada needs to rapidly accelerate the effort to put out these fires, particularly those in Quebec, where the fires are having the most direct impacts on American communities. I have directed the National Interagency Fire Center to respond promptly to Canadian requests for additional firefighters and fire suppression assets such as air tankers. I’ve asked Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg to keep me informed about his progress in ensuring that we proactively manage the air traffic implications of the deteriorated air quality based on lessons learned from prior incidents. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Regan is continuously monitoring air quality and providing critical updates for each relevant zipcode; you can find the current air quality and updated public health guidance in your area at AirNow.gov. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control offer detailed recommendations on protecting yourself from the effects of wildfire smoke at CDC.gov. Stay safe and follow the guidance of your local officials.”
New York Public Schools move to remote learning
Thursday 8 June 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio
Public schools in New York have moved classes in session on 9 June to remote learning.
“For schools serving grades 9-12 and 6-12 in Districts 1-32 and 79: Students and staff in these schools were scheduled to attend school in-person on June 9, we are shifting to remote instruction,” NYC Public Schools tweeted.
They added: “Additional guidance will be shortly forthcoming to instructional staff.”
Schools serving 3K, Pre-K, K-5, 6-8, K-12 and district 75 will be off – though this was previously planned as a Clerical Day.
Photos show low visibility in Washington DC
Thursday 8 June 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio
Fox News guests and hosts mock people for wearing masks to block dangerous wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio
Fox News hosts have pilloried residents of New York and Washington DC for wearing masks after raging wildfires in Canada enveloped the cities in acrid smoke.
As New York recorded the worst air pollution in the world on Wednesday, a procession of anchors and guests on the right-wing network denied clear scientific evidence that the smoke was dangerous.
Bevan Hurley reports:
Fox News hosts mock people for wearing masks to block dangerous wildfire smoke
Climate activists protest outside of White House amid smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio
Climate protesters gathered outside of the White House in Washington DC to speak out against the Mountain Valley Pipeline as a “Code Purple” warning headed over the DC area.
Images from the protest showed activists gathered together, wearing masks to protect themselves from the smoky air from the Canadian wildfires while holding signs and banners.
Justin Pearson, a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives spoke at the protest joking that with the remaining breath in protestor’s bodies, “we still got some fight left”.
New York restaurants shut down amid smoky conditions
Thursday 8 June 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio
Restaurants in New York City have temporarily closed down as the city faces intense air quality issues due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires.
On Wednesday (7 June), the thick smoke enveloped the city resulting in a “hazardous” air quality index. People were encouraged to stay inside as much as possible and wear a mask when walking around outside.
“It seemed not great for our employees,” Stephanie Watanabe, co-owner of, Coast and Valley said to GrubStreet.
Watanabe said people were not interested in sitting outside and hanging out due to the dangerous air.
Several coffee shops and cafes closed in Brooklyn than usual to account for the smoke and on Thursday, they remained closed.
Other restaurants followed suit hoping to keep their employees safe on what would be a very slow service day.
Man reveals the ‘incredible’ mask his wife made for dog to protect pet from wildfire smoke
Thursday 8 June 2023 22:30 , Ariana Baio
A man based in Rochester, New York has showcased the “incredible” mask that his wife made for their dog, Siggi, in order to protect him from the wildfire smoke in their area.
The pet owner, Andrew White, took to Twitter on Wednesday to share a photo of his dog in the handmade mask. Speaking to The Independent, White’s wife, Emily Uhde, noted that the face covering was made out of a shower cap, a round N95 respirator, and some duct tape.
Amber Raiken reports:
Man reveals the mask his wife made for dog to protect pet from wildfire smoke
Misinformation on smoke circulates Twitter
Thursday 8 June 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio
As New York City faced dangerous air quality index levels on Wednesday (7 June), misinformation ran rampant on Twitter with people claiming it was safe to breathe in smoke and the wildfires were part of a “climate scam”
The hashtag “Climate Scam” began trending on Twitter with over 34,000 mentions according to the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
“Bad actors are exploiting a catastrophic event in real-time to flood Twitter with climate denial and anti-science propaganda,” Callum Hood, head of research at CCDH said.
“Under Elon Musk, it has become the platform of choice for a host of bad actors, many of whom have been given an algorithmic boost after purchasing ‘Twitter Blue’ accounts. Our previous work shows that accounts belonging to leading climate deniers are growing at twice the rate under Elon Musk – helped by algorithmic recommendations, and the veneer of credibility offered by paid-for blue badges,” Mr Hood added.
More than 60m Americans exposed to high levels of smoke, experts say
Thursday 8 June 2023 23:20 , Graeme Massie
Wednesday was the worst wildfire-related smoke incident that the US has seen since 2006, when data began being kept, according to scientists.
Stanford climate researcher Marshall Burke and colleagues say that 61.8 million Americans in some of the country’s biggest cities were exposed to more than 50 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter of air, which is considered a high level.
The experts say that is twice the number that were exposed on 13 September 2020, which is the second-place event.
NYC smoke led to small spike in breathing-related hospital visit
Friday 9 June 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio
There were approximately 300 emergency room visits for complaints about wheezing, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) on Wednesday according to data from the New York City Department of Health.
The number is a small increase from the average number of visits for similar complaints that occurred in the days before heavy smoke from Canadian fires engulfed the city.
Visits on Wednesday were the highest number since 23 May 2022.
Where are wildfires burning in Canada right now?
Friday 9 June 2023 00:28 , Graeme Massie
There are over 400 wildfires burning throughout the provinces of Canada.
Where are wildfires burning in Canada right now?
WATCH: George Washington Bridge disappears under smoke from Canadian Wildfire
Friday 9 June 2023 01:00 , Ariana Baio
New York air pollution hit hazardous ratings as wildfire smoke plagues East Coast
Friday 9 June 2023 02:00 , Ariana Baio
Yellowing and ashen skies smothered New York City’s skyline on Wednesday as wildfire smoke drifting from Canada sparked unhealthy air conditions across the northeastern US.
Air quality above New York had improved slightly on 7 June but rapidly deteriorated in the afternoon, reaching an air quality index of more than 400 in some parts of the city – the worst level globally – and roughly 58 times the World Health Organization’s guidelines.
Alex Woodward reports:
New York air pollution hit hazardous ratings as wildfire smoke plagues East Coast
Raging wildfires burning ‘critical infrastructure’ in Canada
Friday 9 June 2023 03:00 , Ariana Baio
Hundreds of uncontrolled forest fires continue to blaze across Canada, threatening critical infrastructure, forcing evacuations and sending a blanket of smoky air wafting over Canadian and US cities.
“Across the country as of today, there are 414 wildfires burning, 239 of which are determined to be out of control,” he told a briefing. The giant eastern province of Quebec is among the worst affected.”
“We’ve … seen continued impacts to critical infrastructure in Quebec such as roads and rural closures, telecommunication interruptions and high voltage power lines being threatened by the growing fires,” said federal minister of emergency preparedness Bill Blair.
VOICES: ‘It’s like being on Mars’: The smoke in the air in New York is so thick
Friday 9 June 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio
VOICES: “Smoke from hundreds of forest fires raging in Canada blew into town this week, choking out the sun and casting an eerie sepia tone across skyscrapers and city blocks.
By mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the air quality index in parts of the city climbed beyond 400 – a level considered “hazardous”. The scale only goes up to 500, and typically the air quality index hovers around 100. As some have said, it’s like being on Mars: the sky turned orange and the sharp edges of the city blurred behind the smog.”
David Taintor writes:
Opinion: ‘Like being on Mars’: You can feel the New York smoke in your lungs
Formula 1 gives Montreal Grand Prix update amid wildfires in Quebec
Friday 9 June 2023 05:00 , Ariana Baio
Formula 1 insists next week’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is not at risk despite wildfires in nearby regions.
More than 400 wildfires are raging in Canada which have led to mass evacuations in the Quebec region and officials warned this could be the country’s worst wildfire season on record, with over 6.7 million acres already scorched.
In Montreal, thick layers of smog have descended on parts of the city in the last few days but F1 insists next week’s race meet at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (16-18 June) is set to go ahead as planned.
Kieran Jackson reports:
F1 gives Canadian Grand Prix update after smoke descends on Montreal
New York City hands out N95 masks to residents
Friday 9 June 2023 06:00 , Ariana Baio
New York’s AQI underground was way worse than what it was on the ground
Friday 9 June 2023 06:09 , Stuti Mishra
New York City’s air quality index, or AQI, reached more than 400 on Wednesday, covering the city in a yellow haze.
While the scenes on the ground were apocalyptic, the situation underground was way worse, researchers have found.
Readings taken by New York University researchers shows the entrance of the Broadway-Lafayette station in Manhattan reached 612, according to Gothamist.
On the platform down below, the readings were much worse.
My colleague Alex Woodward has more details:
New York City’s air quality has plummeted. It may be worse underground
Fox News guests and hosts mock people for wearing masks to block dangerous wildfire smoke
Friday 9 June 2023 06:30 , Stuti Mishra
Fox News hosts have pilloried residents of New York and Washington DC for wearing masks after raging wildfires in Canada enveloped the cities in acrid smoke.
The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham brought on guest Steve Milloy, touted as a former Trump Environmental Protection Agency transition team member, who claimed that the thick orange smoke that clogged the New York skyline this week was harmless.
“This doesn’t kill anybody, this doesn’t make anybody cough. This is not a health event, this has got nothing to do with climate,” Mr Milloy claimed.
“Amazing,” Ingraham responded with a laugh.
Bevan Hurley reports:
Fox News hosts mock people for wearing masks to block dangerous wildfire smoke
New York air quality improves as school and restaurants remain shut
Friday 9 June 2023 06:50 , Stuti Mishra
After an apocalyptic couple of days with New York covered in orange haze, the air quality index of the Big Apple has been improved significantly for the time being.
The current status of NYC has been downgraded from “hazardous” on Wednesday, to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” as the smoke from Canadian wildfires spreads further down south and west.
The changes could be temporary as hundreds of wildfires continue to rage in Quebec sending plumes of smoke out towards the Northeastern coast but for the time being the air in the city is the cleanest it has been since Monday.
Government advisory for Friday says vulnerable groups should still wear masks to protect themselves with AQI ranging between 100-150.
Washington DC air quality remain in red but expected to improve
Friday 9 June 2023 07:20 , Stuti Mishra
Air quality in the US capital remained in “code red” early on Friday after getting downgraded from “hazardous” levels in the purple category on Thursday evening.
The AQI levels stand close to 150, which is unhealthy for people, especially vulnerable individuals.
The air quality is expected to improve a little more and reach code orange, which is still unhealthy for individuals at risk.
The change comes as smoke from the raging wildfires in Canada moves further south and west, worsening the air for more cities, but providing some relief to the northeastern coast.
What is code red, purple and orange air quality?
Friday 9 June 2023 07:40 , Stuti Mishra
The Air Quality Index (AQI), presented on the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website, employs a colour-coded system to rank air quality on a 500-point scale, providing the public with an easy-to-understand assessment of the health effects of the surrounding air.
The lower end of the scale, which is green, represents healthy air, while the yellow signifies moderate levels of pollution. The higher ends, colour coded as orange, red and purple, represent unhealthy and hazardous conditions for all individuals.
The AQI takes into account some key measures of air pollution, such as particle pollution, ground-level ozone and gases like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
With wildfire smoke flowing from Canada, these dangerous gases have increased in the atmosphere, particularly the fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which is a pollutant.
These pollutants can have various health impacts, often leading to respiratory system irritation, inflammation and the potential development of conditions such as asthma and heart disease.
This graph from AirNow shows the various levels of alerts and the colour codes associated.
ICYMI: New York restaurants shut down amid smoky conditions
Friday 9 June 2023 08:10 , Stuti Mishra
Restaurants in New York City have temporarily closed down as the city faces intense air quality issues due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires.
Thick smoke enveloped the city on Wednesday resulting in a “hazardous” air quality index. People were encouraged to stay inside as much as possible and wear a mask when walking around outside.
“It seemed not great for our employees,” Stephanie Watanabe, co-owner of, Coast and Valley said to GrubStreet.
Watanabe said people were not interested in sitting outside and hanging out due to the dangerous air.
Several coffee shops and cafes closed in Brooklyn than usual to account for the smoke and on Thursday, they remained closed.
Other restaurants followed suit hoping to keep their employees safe on what would be a very slow service day.
Biden sends firefighters to support Canada in wildfire battle
Friday 9 June 2023 08:30 , Ariana Baio
President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he was sending more than 600 US firefighters and support personnel, along with equipment, to help Canada tackle its more than 400 wildfires.
The president noted that wildfires “are intensifying because of the climate crisis”.
He also advised that Americans experiencing dangerous air pollution, especially those with health conditions, take steps to protect themselves.
Can you taste wildfire smoke?
Friday 9 June 2023 09:00 , Ariana Baio
While almost everyone can smell wildfire smoke, some people can taste it – according to University of Buffalo professor of biological sciences Kathryn Medler.
“There is a wide range in the number of tastebuds that we have on our tongues,” Ms Medler said. ”Children and some adults tend to have more and, as a result, they can have a more sensitive palette.”
For those that can taste the smoke particles, it may taste charred or a cigar-like flavor.
People can test it for themselves by plugging their nose and seeing if taste is still present.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website