Wildfire smoke from Canada puts millions at health risk across North America
Toronto, June 07: Millions of people across North America are facing high-risk air quality conditions as wildfires continue to ravage Canada. Thick smoke from the wildfires has enveloped major cities in Ontario and Quebec, including Toronto and its surrounding areas.
The impact of the smoke has even reached as far as New York City and Connecticut, where air quality has been deemed "unhealthy."
Have you noticed the sky looking milky in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic? The milky color is actually caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires????
The smoke has resulted in poor air quality in some regions. Near the middle and top of this gif you can see some of the fires in Quebec. pic.twitter.com/Ks0pIYfDta — NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) June 6, 2023
The majority of the smoke is originating from Quebec, where a staggering 160 fires are currently burning. Environment Canada issued its most severe warning for Ottawa, classifying the air quality in the Canadian capital as a "very high risk" to public health. Toronto and its nearby regions have been labeled as "high risk" in terms of air quality.
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Meanwhile, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified air quality in many parts of the northeastern US as "unhealthy," especially for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Air quality advisories have been issued for areas including New York City, Connecticut, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC. Certain regions in eastern Pennsylvania, New York, and New England have experienced an Air Quality Index surpassing 200, indicating "very unhealthy" conditions for everyone.
Photographs taken in New York City on Tuesday morning depict an orange haze shrouding the city's skyline, a result of the southward movement of wildfire smoke from Canada. Public health officials are advising people to refrain from outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to the smoke due to immediate and long-term health risks it poses.
Deteriorating air quality has prompted the relocation of individuals with asthma and respiratory problems from the Atikamekw community of Opitciwan, located 350km (217 miles) north of Montreal in Quebec. Authorities have transferred them to areas away from the smoke to ensure their well-being.
Canada is witnessing an unusually active wildfire season, with federal officials warning that this summer could see the country's largest fires to date. Dry and hot conditions forecasted for much of the season are contributing to the elevated risk. Wildfires have already consumed over 3.3 million hectares of land across the country, which is twelve times the 10-year average for this time of year.
Evacuations have been carried out in various regions, including Quebec, where approximately 200,000 hectares have been burned so far. Significant fires have also been reported in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories.
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- With inputs from agencies
