Wildfire Smoke from Canada Spreads Across US, Prompting Air Quality Alerts
A massive plume of smoke from wildfires in Canada is sweeping across multiple states in the US, including the eastern seaboard, prompting authorities to issue air quality alerts. The poor air quality, which stretches across the US, is a result of dozens of wildfires burning across Canada, fuelling the country’s annual wildfire season.
According to reports from The Guardian, at least 25,000 residents in three Canadian provinces have been forced to evacuate in recent days due to the raging wildfires, which have been sparked by both human and natural causes. The fires have prompted a significant response from emergency services, with multiple provinces affected.
The impact of the wildfires is being felt across the US, with a map from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow forecast showing large swaths of moderate to unhealthy air quality across the east, midwest, and southern parts of the country. The smoke and dust from the wildfires have resulted in air quality alerts being issued in multiple states.
In New York, the state department of environmental conservation issued an air-quality advisory from 11am to 11pm for multiple counties, including parts of New York City. The advisory recommended that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. As The Guardian reports, officials warned that people who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory issues.
New Jersey’s department of environmental protection also issued a code orange air-quality alert for multiple parts of the state, indicating that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, elderly people, and people with asthma, heart, and lung diseases. Similarly, the Iowa department of natural resources issued a statewide air-quality alert on Tuesday, which is set to last until Thursday. The department warned that intermittent thick smoke can be expected over the state.
The air quality alerts have also been issued in other states, including New Hampshire and Maine. In New Hampshire, officials declared an air-quality action day on Tuesday, while in Maine, the state’s department of environmental protection issued an air-quality alert from 11am Wednesday to 11pm Thursday. According to The Guardian, people in these areas have been advised to be aware of symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, or an uncomfortable sensation in the chest, and to limit their outdoor activities if they experience any of these symptoms.
As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are urging residents to take precautions to protect their health. The US Environmental Protection Agency has advised people to take steps to reduce their exposure to poor air quality, including avoiding strenuous outdoor activities and staying indoors when possible.
The wildfires in Canada have also sparked concerns about the long-term impact on the environment and public health. The Guardian reports that the fires have been burning for several days, with no immediate end in sight. As the situation continues to develop, this news provider will provide updates on the air quality alerts and the impact of the wildfires on the US and Canada.
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