Air quality in New York City reached worrisome levels Wednesday morning, ranking among the worst in the world, due to thick smoke from wildfires in Canada. As wildfires persist in Quebec, with more than 150 fires, 110 of them out of control, smoke conditions and “unhealthy” air are expected to continue to plague all five counties through Sunday.
Under an Air Quality Health Advisory, New Yorkers were urged to limit their outdoor activities to essential needs, especially those with heart or respiratory problems. Air quality in parts of the city reached “very unhealthy” levels Tuesday night, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, making it the poorest among the world’s major cities, according to IQair.
By comparison, only New Delhi, India, had worse air quality than New York City. The adverse weather pattern is forecast to persist through Sunday night, when a storm system is expected to change wind direction and draw smoke away from the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
The city’s public schools canceled all outdoor activities Wednesday, anticipating continued deterioration in air quality throughout the day. Although the situation is dire in New York City, the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware are reported to be the hardest hit.
Wildfires in Canada have prompted evacuations and burned an area larger than the state of Maryland. Extreme dryness and high temperatures have exacerbated the situation. Smoke from the fires in British Columbia and Nova Scotia has also contributed to haze and air pollution in the city, though smoke from Quebec has been especially intense in recent weeks.
The Canadian capital of Ottawa, which neighbors Quebec, experienced extremely poor air quality on Tuesday, with a “very high risk” level according to Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index. New York State residents are advised to limit strenuous physical activity outdoors to reduce adverse health effects, even for those without pre-existing health conditions.
In short, New York City faces serious air pollution problems due to smoke from wildfires in Canada. Unfavorable conditions are expected to persist until Sunday, when a change in wind direction is forecast. It is critical that residents take precautions and limit their outdoor exposure to avoid health problems.