Ongoing wildfires in Canada have led to the issuance of high-risk air quality warnings affecting millions of people across North America. Major cities in Ontario and Quebec, including Toronto, are shrouded in smoke, while its effects have reached as far as New York City and Connecticut, where air quality has been deemed "unhealthy". With over 160 fires burning in Quebec alone, Environment Canada has issued its strongest warning for Ottawa, highlighting the "very high risk" to people's health.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has classified air quality in the northeastern US as "unhealthy", particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions. Areas such as New York City, Connecticut, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC are all under air quality advisories, with certain regions experiencing conditions deemed "very unhealthy for everyone".
New York City woke up to an eerie orange haze on Tuesday as wildfire smoke from Canada descended upon the city's skyline. Public health officials are advising caution, urging people to refrain from outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to the smoke due to immediate and long-term health hazards.
The deteriorating air quality has led to the relocation of individuals with asthma and respiratory issues in the Atikamekw community of Opitciwan, situated 350km north of Montreal in Quebec, as the smoke poses a significant threat.
Canada is experiencing an exceptionally active wildfire season, and officials have warned that this summer could witness the country's largest fires yet. Dry and hot conditions forecasted for the season have contributed to more than 3.3 million hectares of land being consumed by fires, an area 12 times the 10-year average for this time of year.
Evacuations have been carried out across the country, with approximately 200,000 hectares burned in Quebec alone. Major fires have also ravaged regions in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories. The ongoing wildfires continue to pose significant challenges and risks.