The air quality of several cities in Canada and the United States has recorded a drop due to the wildfires that are taking place in the east of the first country.

It caused smoke to move and cause haze in iconic locations like New York, where authorities urged residents to avoid outdoor activities.

On Tuesday, the Canadian Meteorological Service rated Ottawa at the bottom of its aerial scale and warned to stay indoors as much as possible. Toronto, the most populous in the country, was blanketed all day in a layer of smoke that obscured the sun’s rays, while a smell of burning permeated the entire city.

Canada faces more than 400 active wildfires

The same scenes were repeated in Montreal and Quebec.

The aftermath of the fires extends beyond Canada’s borders, and the smoke also hit points in the United States like New York on Tuesday.

The smoke blanketing much of Canada is the result of the country’s more than 400 active fires, including some 150 in Quebec, a much higher number than usual for this time of year.

In the case of New York, an orange haze hung over the city and prompted health officials to advise residents to avoid outdoor activities on Wednesday.

For Mayor Eric Adams, this level is unprecedented. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency noted that cloudy skies, reduced visibility, and a smell of burning wood are likely.

CNN reported that several metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut recorded high levels of air quality, making it unhealthy. Philadelphia, on the other hand, recorded a very unhealthy quality. (YO)