Fires in Canada threaten air quality in Toronto

Toronto (Canada) (EFE).- Canadian authorities warned this Wednesday that the smoke generated by hundreds of active forest fires in the country will place the air quality in Toronto, the largest city in Canada, at high levels of risk.

The Canadian Meteorological Service said air quality in Toronto will drop Wednesday evening to “moderate risk” and will reach “high risk” on Thursday, for which it recommends people with respiratory problems limit their activities abroad.

On Thursday evening, the air quality will worsen to a “very high risk” level of 9 on a scale of 11. With these levels, authorities recommend that the general population reduce outdoor activities.

“Smoke from wildfires can harm everyone’s health, even in low concentrations,” the weather service said.

The bad conditions will continue at least until the weekend when we expect the arrival of a low pressure front which will renew the air.

Since Monday, Toronto has been on alert for deteriorating air quality due to the accumulation of particles that are generating around 100 forest fires in the province of Quebec and around 50 in Ontario.

There are more than 400 active wildfires in Canada and authorities have warned that this year will be one of the worst in the country’s history.

Air assignment in the United States due to the fires in Canada

Los residents de más de cinco estados de EE.UU. Lose yourself in the middle of a mist, occasioned by the humo, that he has taken to the autoridades to alert to the ciudadanos by the “peligrosas” conditions of the area and there is no limit to the activities in the open air.

Authorities in New York City, one of the first to receive fine particles in suspension traveling from the north of the continent, warned on Wednesday that the poor air quality will continue for “several days”.

People shield themselves from the smoke that hits New York City on June 7, 2023 due to active fires in Canada. EFE/Sarah Yenesel

New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan urged New Yorkers to avoid going outside unless “absolutely necessary” and recommended the use of masks, such as N95, for those who must. carry out activities outside.

Other East Coast states were also affected by smoke from the fires, which drifted south.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a “hazardous weather” alert for air quality in southern Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, which will remain until next midnight. He also advised Massachusetts citizens to avoid “prolonged outdoor activities” due to the presence of smoke, which they plan to continue through Thursday.

New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington, among those affected

The State of New Jersey, for its part, indicated that the air quality at the moment is not good, extended the weather alert until Thursday and asked citizens to limit the time they pass outside.

The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is on ‘red alert’ for air quality and has asked its citizens to cancel outdoor activities, close doors and windows, and be vigilant just in case. they would show symptoms such as nausea or difficulty breathing.

View of smoke affecting the National Mall in Washington, June 7, 2023, due to active fires in Canada.  EFE/Jim Lo Scalzo
View of smoke affecting the National Mall in Washington, June 7, 2023, due to active fires in Canada. EFE/Jim Lo Scalzo

Smoke from the Canadian fires has also reached Washington, the nation’s capital, where the highest air quality alert was also declared for the first time in more than 10 years, the Washington Post reported.

City icons such as the Washington and Lincoln memorials were caught in a cloud of smoke from the early hours of the morning.

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