This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65828469

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Canada wildfires: Tens of millions under air quality warnings as fires burn Canada wildfires: Millions advised to mask up due to intense smoke
(about 3 hours later)
Watch: Wildfire smoke fills skies across North America Watch: How to keep safe from wildfire smoke
Watch: Wildfire smoke fills skies across North America Watch: How to keep safe from wildfire smoke
Tens of millions of people in North America are experiencing dangerous air quality levels as intense wildfires burn across Canada. Millions of people in North America have been advised to wear N95 masks outdoors due to poor air quality levels sparked by intense wildfires in Canada.
Smoke blanketed large areas of Ontario and Quebec, while an orange haze hung over much of the north-eastern US throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday. New York will begin distributing free masks on Thursday. Canada has told said that people should wear a mask if they are unable to remain indoors.
Toronto and New York briefly ranked among the metro areas with the worst air quality in the world overnight. Officials warn that the dangerously smoky conditions are expected to persist into the weekend.
Much of the smoke is coming from Quebec, where 160 fires are burning. Much of the smoke is coming from Quebec, where 150 fires are burning.
Canadian officials say the country is shaping up for its worst wildfire season on record. More than 15,000 residents are expected to be forced to evacuate in the province, officials said on Wednesday. It is already Quebec's worst fire season on record.
Experts have pointed to a warmer and drier spring than normal as the reason behind the trend. These conditions are projected to continue throughout the summer. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that New York would distribute one million masks to state residents on Thursday.
"This is a temporary situation. This is not Covid," she said at a news conference. The governor added that New York City buses and trains have high-quality air filtration systems that make them safe forms of travel.
Environment Canada has said that conditions are worsening in Toronto on Thursday, as more smoke pours in.
In a special weather bulletin on Wednesday, the agency recommended that anyone outdoors wear a mask.
"These fine particles generally pose the greatest risk to health. However, respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke," the Environment Canada statement said.
Data from NOAA on Wednesday 7 June 2023Data from NOAA on Wednesday 7 June 2023
Environment Canada issued its strongest air quality warning for Ottawa on Tuesday, deeming it a "very high risk" to people's health.
In Toronto and its surrounding areas, the air quality was classified as "high risk".
Four ways climate change is affecting the weather
Deteriorating air quality has also forced at least one region in Quebec - the Atikamekw community of Opitciwan, 350km (217 miles) north of Montreal - to transfer people with asthma and other respiratory issues away from the smoke.
Meanwhile, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified the air quality in much of the north-east as "unhealthy" especially for people with respiratory concerns.Meanwhile, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified the air quality in much of the north-east as "unhealthy" especially for people with respiratory concerns.
In total, some 100 million people around North America are thought to be under a form of air quality warning. In total, millions of people around North America are thought to be under a form of air quality warning.
Four ways climate change is affecting the weather
In New York, an orange haze blanketed the city's skyline and shrouded landmarks including the Statue of Liberty.
"We recommend all New Yorkers limit outdoor activity to the greatest extent possible," Mayor Eric Adams warned on Wednesday.
Watch: BBC's weather team breaks down smoke from Canada wildfiresWatch: BBC's weather team breaks down smoke from Canada wildfires
Watch: BBC's weather team breaks down smoke from Canada wildfiresWatch: BBC's weather team breaks down smoke from Canada wildfires
In New York, an orange haze blanketed the city's skyline and shrouded landmarks including the Statue of Liberty. Zoos have brought animals indoors, and in New York, carriage horse rides have been suspended.
All outdoor activities at the city's public schools have been indefinitely suspended, with Mayor Eric Adams warning that conditions are expected to deteriorate later on Wednesday. On Wednesday, schools in the Washington DC area also cancelled outdoor activities as air quality levels were labelled "code red", while Detroit was listed as the fifth worst major metropolitan area in the world on IQAir's air pollution rankings.
"We recommend all New Yorkers limit outdoor activity to the greatest extent possible," he said.
Local residents in the city said the smell of smoke by Tuesday evening was like a campfire.
On Wednesday morning, schools in the Washington DC area also cancelled outdoor activities as air quality levels were labelled "code red", while Detroit was listed as the fifth worst major metropolitan area in the world on IQAir's air pollution rankings.
Public health officials have cautioned people not to exercise outside and to minimise their exposure to the smoke as much as possible, as the air poses immediate and long-term health risks.Public health officials have cautioned people not to exercise outside and to minimise their exposure to the smoke as much as possible, as the air poses immediate and long-term health risks.
Fires across Canada have already burned more than 3.3m hectares of land - an area 12 times the 10-year average for this time of year. Canadian officials say the country is shaping up for its worst wildfire season on record.
Thousands of people have been evacuated across the country. Experts have pointed to a warmer and drier spring than normal as the reason behind the trend. These conditions are projected to continue throughout the summer.
As well as Quebec, major fires have also been burning in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories. Fires across Canada have already burned more than 3.3 million hectares of land - an area 12 times the 10-year average for this time of year.
More than 600 US firefighters have been sent to Canada to assist local officials, the White House announced on Wednesday.
Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.
The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began, and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began, and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.
How does wildfire smoke affect your health?How does wildfire smoke affect your health?
Experts say exposure to wildfire smoke can cause a litany of health issues.Experts say exposure to wildfire smoke can cause a litany of health issues.
Matthew Adams, a professor at the University of Toronto and the director of its Centre of Urban Environments, said immediate effects of inhaling wildfire smoke include shortness of breath, an elevated pulse, chest pain, or inflammation in the eyes, nose and throat.Matthew Adams, a professor at the University of Toronto and the director of its Centre of Urban Environments, said immediate effects of inhaling wildfire smoke include shortness of breath, an elevated pulse, chest pain, or inflammation in the eyes, nose and throat.
"On these elevated air pollution days, we'll see an increased number of visits to hospital," Prof Adams told the BBC. "And the people that are visiting the hospital typically have a pre-existing respiratory disease.""On these elevated air pollution days, we'll see an increased number of visits to hospital," Prof Adams told the BBC. "And the people that are visiting the hospital typically have a pre-existing respiratory disease."
But wildfire smoke has also been linked to serious, long-term health issues like cancer or lung disease, Prof Adams said, specifically for people who live in areas that experience frequent forest fires.But wildfire smoke has also been linked to serious, long-term health issues like cancer or lung disease, Prof Adams said, specifically for people who live in areas that experience frequent forest fires.
This is caused by small particles in the smoke haze, he said, which can enter the bloodstream and other parts of the human body, causing possible DNA mutations and other health issues.This is caused by small particles in the smoke haze, he said, which can enter the bloodstream and other parts of the human body, causing possible DNA mutations and other health issues.
Some studies have also shown that prolonged wildfire smoke exposure can affect pregnant women and their unborn children, Prof Adams added.Some studies have also shown that prolonged wildfire smoke exposure can affect pregnant women and their unborn children, Prof Adams added.
For people living in cities far away from the fires but under current air advisories, Prof Adams advised people limit outdoor exercise to avoid breathing in the wildfire smoke.For people living in cities far away from the fires but under current air advisories, Prof Adams advised people limit outdoor exercise to avoid breathing in the wildfire smoke.
"Don't get so concerned about it," he said. "Stay inside and reduce your exposure.""Don't get so concerned about it," he said. "Stay inside and reduce your exposure."
But in areas closer to the fires, Prof Adams recommended wearing an N95 mask outside to block inhalation of most of the smoke particles.But in areas closer to the fires, Prof Adams recommended wearing an N95 mask outside to block inhalation of most of the smoke particles.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
New York CityNew York City
WildfiresWildfires
QuebecQuebec
Air pollutionAir pollution
United StatesUnited States
CanadaCanada