Air quality – live: New York hits pollution record as Canada wildfire smoke disrupts airports and cancels MLB

New York City was blanketed in a science-fiction like orange glow by Wednesday afternoon as more thick smoke poured south from Canada’s devastating wildfires.

The Big Apple was ranked number one for the worst air quality in the world on Wednesday afternoon with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at one stage reaching above 350 - a level described as “hazardous”.

The air quality measurements out of New York City were the worst ever on record.

The smoke blanketing the city led to the cancellation of Broadway shows and airline flights.

At least thirteen US states have air quality alerts issued in places, impacting an estimated 115 million people.

The entire US Northeast is battling smoke moving south from more than 400 wildfires raging in Canada which have led to mass evacuations in the province of Quebec. Canadian officials warned that this could be the country’s worst wildfire season on record, with over 6.7 million acres already scorched.

Key Points

• AOC and Bernie Sanders warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe to come

• ‘I can’t breathe’: Jodie Comer halts broadway show due to New York air quality

• New York City 'worst polluted city' in the world as air quality plummets

• Canada facing its 'worst wildfire season ever'

Why wildfires are raging in Canada?

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

Apocalyptic time-lapse shows New York disappear into orange smoke from Canada wildfires

09:10 , Stuti Mishra

AOC and Bernie Sanders warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe to come

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

Understanding Air Quality alerts: What does 'hazardous' air mean?

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.

Canadian wildfire evacuees 'won't be able to return to their homes until next week'

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.

Quebec premier Francois Legault

Wildfires ground New York-based flights

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

All the dos and don’ts to keep safe from wildfire smoke

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

How long will air pollution in New York last?

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.

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

Video: George Washington Bridge disappears under smoke from Canadian Wildfires

06:36 , Stuti Mishra

New York pollution skyrockets as wildfire smoke continues

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

Photos from New York’s apocalyptic day of wildfire smoke

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

Wildfire smoke shuts down multiple Broadway shows

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’

Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next

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

AOC and Bernie Sanders warn that Canada wildfire smoke is sign of climate crisis catastrophe to come

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

Don’t forget: plenty can’t ‘stay inside’ during New York air crisis

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.

What are members of Congress saying about the wildfire smoke?

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.

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.”

‘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.”

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.

‘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’

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.

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.”

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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?

Scenes from New York City on Wednesday June 7th, 2023

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:40 , Louise Boyle

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.

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.

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.

Pictured: Lower Manhattan at 2pm on Wednesday

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:05 , Louise Boyle

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

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.

Scenes from a smoke-wreathed Manhattan

Wednesday 7 June 2023 18:20 , 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.”

Watch: Canadian wildfire smoke moves further south, blankets Washington DC

Wednesday 7 June 2023 17:40 , Louise Boyle

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.