Smoke from Canadian wildfires turns New York City air worst in the world, officials issue alert

New York authorities on Wednesday urged millions of residents of the city to limit their time outdoors as smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to drift and has turned the air quality worst in the world. The air was acrid, skylines looked orange, and municipal officials told people to stay indoors. 

The air quality in New York City was the worst in the world on Wednesday, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. 

More than 400 wildfires are burning in Canada, including 150 forest fires in Quebec with more than 110 considered out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fires Centre.

More than a dozen US states issued air-quality alerts. New York warned its residents that fine particulates in the atmosphere can make breathing difficult and may cause other health risks.

"This is an unprecedented event in our city and New Yorkers must take precaution," New York City Mayor Eric Adams told a news conference.

Air quality alerts were issued by the US National Weather Service from New England to South Carolina. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called it “a health and environmental crisis” and urged the residents to take it seriously. 

“Simply stay indoors. Outdoors is dangerous in just about every part of our state. Not just vulnerable communities, but literally everyone,” Hochul said at a news conference.

The Federal Aviation Administration took steps to limit air traffic around New York City, temporarily grounding flights at LaGuardia Airport.

More than a dozen US states issued air-quality alerts. New York warned its residents that fine particulates in the atmosphere can make breathing difficult and may cause other health risks.

"This is an unprecedented event in our city and New Yorkers must take precaution," New York City Mayor Eric Adams told a news conference.

Air quality alerts were issued by the US National Weather Service from New England to South Carolina.

New York City's public schools were open for class, although outdoor events and activities, including a middle school graduation, were cancelled, postponed or moved indoors.

Canada is currently experiencing its worst-ever wildfire season. The wildfire season started unusually early and was of greater intensity because of persistent warm and dry conditions. The smoke is now crossing the northern border of the US.

There was a haze in the skies of North American cities and there was a smell of burning wood. The early morning sun appeared like a small glowing orange disc in many places. New York City skyscrapers were nearly invisible. On a clear day, these are visible from miles away.

New York had the worst air quality in the world on Wednesday, according to rankings of major global cities obtained by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. 

According to the US government online platform AirNow, the city's Air Quality Index reached "hazardous" levels in the afternoon, and by 6 pm (local time), it had reached 333. At that level, the site states "everyone should stay indoors and reduce activity levels."

School officials in Yonkers and Freeport decided late Wednesday to close schools for Thursday due to the worsening air quality.

Rochester, New York, near the Canadian border, had the worst air quality in the country, according to IQAir, while six towns along Maryland's Eastern Shore and Delaware were ranked in the bottom 10 for air quality.

Wildfire smoke has been linked with higher rates of heart attacks and strokes, increases in emergency room visits for asthma and other respiratory conditions, and eye irritation, itchy skin and rashes, among other problems.

Canadian authorities on Wednesday issued a starker air-quality warning for the residents of the country's financial capital Toronto

Western Canada sees wildfires regularly. But this time the fires have engulfed areas even on the eastern coast. At present, there are wildfires in almost all of 10 provinces and territories of the country. Quebec is the worst affected right now.

Wildfires have already burnt about 3.3 million hectares. This is some 13 times the 10-year average. More than 120,000 people have been at least temporarily forced out of their homes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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