The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness
Residents and tourists in New York reacted to the Canadian wildfire smoke that continued to veil the city June 7. (Video: Joyce Koh/The Washington Post)

Air quality hits hazardous levels Wednesday from Canadian wildfire smoke

2 min
Smoke and haze from the wildfires ravaging Canadian forests probably will continue to blanket buildings and residents in the Northeast, the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic. Air quality alerts remain in effect in major cities including D.C. and New York. A new batch of smoke will linger over New York state Thursday before probably creeping into northwest Pennsylvania and northern Ohio. After Friday morning, the smoke plumes should somewhat disperse.  
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Hazardous particles degraded air people were breathing as far south as South Carolina, and Eastern Pennsylvania recorded some of the worst air quality in the country. Hints of smoke were even flirting with the Georgia-Florida border.
Canada is on track to experience its worst wildfire season ever, with officials reporting roughly 240 “out of control” active fires. More than 160 of the fires burning now in Canada are in the province of Quebec, with dozens also reported in Alberta and British Columbia.
As of the evening, New York ranked No. 1 worldwide among cities with the worst air quality and was in Code Purple, signifying very unhealthy levels for the general population.
People should stay indoors, limiting exposure to the smoke as much as possible, including during exercise, experts said. Be aware of your local air quality and wear masks that can filter out tiny particles, they added. If people do go outside, they should wear high-quality masks — such as a N95 or KN95.
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Hazardous particles degraded air people were breathing as far south as South Carolina, and Eastern Pennsylvania recorded some of the worst air quality in the country. Hints of smoke were even flirting with the Georgia-Florida border.
Canada is on track to experience its worst wildfire season ever, with officials reporting roughly 240 “out of control” active fires. More than 160 of the fires burning now in Canada are in the province of Quebec, with dozens also reported in Alberta and British Columbia.
As of the evening, New York ranked No. 1 worldwide among cities with the worst air quality and was in Code Purple, signifying very unhealthy levels for the general population.
People should stay indoors, limiting exposure to the smoke as much as possible, including during exercise, experts said. Be aware of your local air quality and wear masks that can filter out tiny particles, they added. If people do go outside, they should wear high-quality masks — such as a N95 or KN95.
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