Canada and US fight forest fires and air pollution

More than often, we talk about human activity causing degradation of air quality and the environment in general; but at times natural phenomena and occurrences can also create severe air pollution; as is the current situation in South of Canada and Northern parts of USA.

Canada is currently grappling with an unprecedented and severe wildfire season, with a strong possibility of potential escalation. Numerous wildfires are spreading across the country, posing a significant challenge for authorities. Not only are these fires affecting various regions in Canada, but they are also causing major U.S. cities to be enveloped in hazardous smoke. This situation has been exacerbated by winds and a low-pressure system off Nova Scotia, which are effectively drawing air southward and eastward into the United States, intensifying the impact of the fires.

The fires in Canada, particularly in and around Quebec, have been ongoing for several days. The forest fire protection agency has reported over 150 fires in the province, with more than 110 of them out of control. As a result, an evacuation order was issued for Chibougamau, a town in a remote area of the province.

Besides affecting Canada, smoke from the Canadian fires has been blowing through northeastern states in the US for weeks and has reached as far as Rhode Island, approximately 800 to 970 kilometers away from the fires. Meteorologists predict that the wind direction causing the smoke and haze in New York could persist for the next few days. The US Environmental Protection Agency suggests that the smoke will continue to linger in the northern states for a while.

New York City in particular is experiencing a severe smoke situation. The smoke has created a yellowish-grey haze, obscuring the Statue of Liberty and the skyline. US media reports have ranked New York City as the most polluted places in the world currently, due to the smoke, with high concentration of PM2.5 particulates and the air quality classified as "very unhealthy" in some parts of the city. Ottawa and Toronto in Canada, as well as the US states of Minnesota and Massachusetts, are also warning their residents about poor air quality.

New York City officials have deemed the deteriorating air quality an emergency crisis, cautioning that it could persist for several days. The immediate impact of this haze on the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers and the potential long-term dangers are being assessed. Doctors have raised concerns about the fine dust particles in the smoke, which could potentially trigger lung inflammation. The smoke has caused the sky in New York City to darken rapidly, resulting in a hazy orange atmosphere that has worsened air quality and disrupted flights. People in Syracuse, Queens, and the Bronx have experienced hazardous air conditions.

Satellite imagery shows the extent of the haze in the United States, and warnings have been issued across the Northeast and Midwest regions. Philadelphia is under a "code red" alert, indicating that sensitive groups may be at risk. Buffalo is expected to experience even more severe smoke than the previous day, and the plume is projected to reach Pittsburgh and other western cities. It is unfortunate that weather conditions have contributed to persistence of the smoke haze, and forecast models suggest that denser smoke layers may impact additional cities in the coming days. Wishing the very best to Northern USA in combating this ill-fated attack of air pollution.

Sources and References

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/08/canada-worst-wildfire-season-00101157

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/07/us/canada-wildfires-air-quality-smoke

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/06/07/canada-wildfires-smoke-air-quality-updates/

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/us-air-quality-canadian-wildfires-06-07-23/index.html