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| Smoky Conditions Persist Across Large Parts of U.S. | Smoky Conditions Persist Across Large Parts of U.S. |
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| At least 10 states from the Midwest to the Northeast on Friday were again facing smoky conditions created by raging wildfires in Canada, capping a week in which millions of people struggled to cope with poor air quality. | At least 10 states from the Midwest to the Northeast on Friday were again facing smoky conditions created by raging wildfires in Canada, capping a week in which millions of people struggled to cope with poor air quality. |
| Smoke that has obscured skylines and made it difficult for some to breathe was expected to linger into the long Fourth of July weekend, according to the National Weather Service. But the air quality was expected to slowly improve as thunderstorms help disperse the smoke and possibly clear the way for Independence Day firework celebrations. | Smoke that has obscured skylines and made it difficult for some to breathe was expected to linger into the long Fourth of July weekend, according to the National Weather Service. But the air quality was expected to slowly improve as thunderstorms help disperse the smoke and possibly clear the way for Independence Day firework celebrations. |
| The Air Quality Index in cities across the Midwest and Northeast, including New York City, was at “unhealthy” levels on Friday, particularly in Pennsylvania, according to AirNow.gov. Statewide warnings were in effect in Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, as well as in Washington, D.C. | The Air Quality Index in cities across the Midwest and Northeast, including New York City, was at “unhealthy” levels on Friday, particularly in Pennsylvania, according to AirNow.gov. Statewide warnings were in effect in Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, as well as in Washington, D.C. |
| The skies in Baltimore and Philadelphia had cleared slightly on Friday afternoon, and officials in both cities said they expected conditions would continue to improve. Philadelphia downgraded its air quality alert from “code red,” which indicates that the air is unhealthy for everyone to breathe, to “code orange,” which means unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as older people, young children and those with heart and lung conditions. | |
| Nevertheless, health departments in the Baltimore area urged residents to limit outdoor activities to minimize risks from high temperatures and poor air quality. Libraries in Baltimore continued to offer free face masks. In Philadelphia, the city health department encouraged people to choose less strenuous activities when exercising, to exercise for shorter periods and to consider wearing a high-quality mask. | |
| Officials in Montreal canceled the city’s Canada Day fireworks show, which had been scheduled for Saturday, over concerns about air pollution. Horse races scheduled for Friday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., were canceled by the New York Racing Association, which operates the track. | Officials in Montreal canceled the city’s Canada Day fireworks show, which had been scheduled for Saturday, over concerns about air pollution. Horse races scheduled for Friday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., were canceled by the New York Racing Association, which operates the track. |
| In New York, officials had yet to decide whether Fourth of July fireworks would continue as planned, Mayor Eric Adams said on 1010 WINS radio on Friday. | In New York, officials had yet to decide whether Fourth of July fireworks would continue as planned, Mayor Eric Adams said on 1010 WINS radio on Friday. |
| Lino Alayo, 42, a landscaper on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, began his Friday morning by checking the air quality level on his phone, followed by three pumps of his asthma inhaler. Well aware of the potential health risks, he said he was forcing himself to work more slowly these days. “I just have got to learn how to adapt if this is going to be the new normal,” Mr. Alayo said. “It raises a lot of fears.” | Lino Alayo, 42, a landscaper on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, began his Friday morning by checking the air quality level on his phone, followed by three pumps of his asthma inhaler. Well aware of the potential health risks, he said he was forcing himself to work more slowly these days. “I just have got to learn how to adapt if this is going to be the new normal,” Mr. Alayo said. “It raises a lot of fears.” |
| John Valentin, 53, a building superintendent who lives and works on the Upper West Side, said he had been gargling with Listerine to soothe the irritation in his throat. He spent Friday cleaning a thin layer of soot from his building’s windowsills, he said, and sealing shut stairwell windows after older tenants complained about the air quality. | John Valentin, 53, a building superintendent who lives and works on the Upper West Side, said he had been gargling with Listerine to soothe the irritation in his throat. He spent Friday cleaning a thin layer of soot from his building’s windowsills, he said, and sealing shut stairwell windows after older tenants complained about the air quality. |
| Other New Yorkers were less concerned about the conditions. Consuela Agudelo, 77, was waiting for a bus in Queens on Friday morning and, like most people on the street, was not wearing a mask, although she had some in her purse. | Other New Yorkers were less concerned about the conditions. Consuela Agudelo, 77, was waiting for a bus in Queens on Friday morning and, like most people on the street, was not wearing a mask, although she had some in her purse. |
| “I’m not putting it on because I don’t feel anything,” Ms. Agudelo said. “Also, it’s so hot with a mask on. When I left my house, I could smell the smoke. But it’s not as bad as the first time.” Earlier in June, wildfire smoke had turned the air in New York orange and had hit “hazardous” levels. | “I’m not putting it on because I don’t feel anything,” Ms. Agudelo said. “Also, it’s so hot with a mask on. When I left my house, I could smell the smoke. But it’s not as bad as the first time.” Earlier in June, wildfire smoke had turned the air in New York orange and had hit “hazardous” levels. |
| Hundreds of miles to the west, a cloud of polluted air hung over the northwestern part of North Dakota on Friday. Ryan Mills, who manages the air monitoring program for the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, said a low-pressure weather system was pulling wildfire smoke from Canada almost directly south, where it hovered low to the ground in high-elevation areas. | |
| On Friday morning, Mr. Mills was in his office in Bismarck, the state’s capital, when he received a call from his in-laws in Garrison, 75 miles to the northwest. They had an urgent question: Were the skies ever going to clear up? | |
| “It’s getting better as we speak,” he told them. | |
| For much of the week, the Great Lakes Region, parts of the Midwest, the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic were choked with smoke, prompting residents to stay indoors to avoid unhealthy air. Those forced to leave home for work, errands or other activities masked up to stay safe. | For much of the week, the Great Lakes Region, parts of the Midwest, the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic were choked with smoke, prompting residents to stay indoors to avoid unhealthy air. Those forced to leave home for work, errands or other activities masked up to stay safe. |
| By Friday morning, there were almost 500 wildfires burning across Canada, with nearly half of them burning out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Canada’s wildfire season started several weeks early this year, which means the fires could impact air quality across North America for weeks. | By Friday morning, there were almost 500 wildfires burning across Canada, with nearly half of them burning out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Canada’s wildfire season started several weeks early this year, which means the fires could impact air quality across North America for weeks. |
| Sarah Maslin Nir, Adam Bednar and Jon Hurdle contributed reporting. | Sarah Maslin Nir, Adam Bednar and Jon Hurdle contributed reporting. |