Its scary: New York has worlds worst air quality as Canada wildfires rage
New York was the most polluted major city in the world on Tuesday night, as smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the city in haze, according to the IQAir website.
Pollution levels in the city were deemed to be in the “unhealthy” range, and were higher than those in New Delhi, India and Baghdad, Iran at 1:25am. New York time, according to the Swiss air quality company.
US. authorities issued air quality alerts. Hazy conditions and smoke from the wildfires were reported across the Great Lakes region from Cleveland to Buffalo.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement on Tuesday night that an Air Quality Health Advisory had been issued for all five boroughs, and while conditions were expected to improve through Wednesday morning, they were predicted to worsen again later in the day.
“We are taking precautions out of an abundance of caution to protect New Yorkers’ health until we are able to get a better sense of future air quality reports,” said Adams. “We recommend all New Yorkers limit outdoor activity to the greatest extent possible.”
The US Air Quality Index for New York hit 222 on its 0-500 scale at 01:05am, putting the air in the “very unhealthy” category.
A smoky haze that hung over New York City much of the day on Tuesday thickened in the late afternoon, obscuring views of New Jersey across the Hudson River and making the setting sun look like a reddish orb. In the Philadelphia area, dusk brought more of a lavender haze.
Sal and Lilly Murphy, of Brooklyn, likened the burning scent to a campfire. They said they could even smell the smoke indoors, in a Manhattan restaurant, then walked outside and saw a sky that looked like it was about to storm – but was rainless. Lilly wore a mask for protection.
Thousands evacuated in Western Canada in ‘unprecedented’ wildfire situation
“It’s a little scary,” Sal Murphy said.
Smoke from the fires has wafted through northeast US states for weeks now, but it’s only recently been noticeable in most places.Canada is on track for its worst ever wildfire season if the rate of burning continues at the same pace. Government officials say around 3.3 million hectares (8.2 million acres) have so far been scorched. Some 413 fires are currently burning and 26,000 Canadians have been forced to evacuate their homes.ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51ku6bD0miuqKqcmXy2usitnJ1lo6mutbHSZpqappGZrnCt0a2gnKSVZIBzfpJrcG1nmanAbr%2FCmqmyZZ6axG7FzquiZqCRqHq4u9Glm6xlp6S%2FtMCMmqCrZaGqrq2107JknJmelrGiedaio52emaeytHnRmp6e