New York is far from an ordinary day. The sky, usually clear in early summer, turned orange on Wednesday. The images seem to be taken from an apocalyptic film. The busy streets remain empty. New Yorkers are seeking shelter indoors after authorities issued an air quality alert for the city on June 7.

The warning, derived from the fires that spread across Canada, included recommendations to limit outdoor activities and the use of masks. “If you are an elderly person or have heart or respiratory problems and need to be outdoors, it is recommended that you wear a high quality mask, for example, N95 or KN95,” the city mayor said. , Eric Adams.

The situation could continue in the coming days. New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned citizens to prepare “for the long haul”.

Videos and photos of the situation in many emblematic points of the city have been shared on social networks. ANDhe George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey to New York, was completely covered in smoke.

The smoke spreads in the United States

But New York was not the only one affected by the smoke from the wildfires. It spread across the East Coast and the Midwest of the United States. The arrival of smoke intensified due to a series of fires that affected the province of Quebec, in eastern Canada.

Health agencies from Vermont to South Carolina and even further west in Ohio and Kansas have warned residents that spending time outdoors could cause health problems.

Risks include respiratory ailments, skin rashes and eye irritation. Additionally, wildfire smoke has been linked to higher rates of heart attacks and strokes.

The President of the United States also spoke about the situation in the country.

“It’s critical that Americans facing dangerous air pollution, especially those with health concerns, listen to local authorities to protect themselves and their families,” the president said on Twitter.

Flights and matches canceled

For its part, the Federal Aviation Administration said it would reduce frequency and halt some flights to the New York area due to reduced visibility.

Additionally, he added that flights from the Upper Midwest and East Coast to New York LaGuardia International Airport have ceased, while flights to Newark Liberty International Airport have been reduced.

Additionally, smoke delayed arrivals at Dulles International Airport on the outskirts of Washington.

Sport has also been affected: the matches of the major league baseballhe (“MLB”), the National Women’s Soccer League (“NWSL”) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (“WNBA”) had to be postponed.

Specifically, the ‘MLB’ canceled games between Detroit Tigers and the Phillies and in New York between Chicago White Sox and the yankees.

The worrying situation in Quebec

On Tuesday, the largest city in northern Quebec, Chibougamau, with a population of around 7,500, was evacuated. Premier François Legault assured that it was very likely that residents of the city of Mistissini would also have to do so.

The official also said the province has the capacity to fight about 40 fires.

However, the North American country has asked for help from other nations to be able to deal with the more than 400 fires that have occurred throughout the territory.

International collaboration has already happened, according to Canada’s Inter-Agency Wildfire Center spokeswoman Jennifer Kamau, 950 firefighters and other personnel from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have already arrived. The number is expected to increase in the coming days. This Wednesday, Biden announced that he would send more than 600 firefighters.

According to the authorities of this country, this could become the worst forest fire season in its history. One that started earlier than usual due to persistent hot and dry conditions.

The effects are also being felt in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, where air quality is expected to deteriorate this week. Major cities like Ottawa and Toronto will be affected by the smoke.

A count by the Reuters news agency shows that around 3.8 million hectares have already burned, around 15 times more than the ten-year average. In addition, 120,000 people have been forced from their homes.

With Reuters and AP