Smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to blanket U.S. cities in a noxious atmosphere on Thursday, resulting in flight delays and cancellations of outdoor activities, while environmental groups demanded immediate action to combat climate change.
Parts of the mid-Atlantic region were rated by the Environmental Protection Agency as “Code Maroon,” the highest category on the Air Quality Index, indicating hazardous conditions. Residents of the nation’s capital awakened to a pungent odor and orange-tinged skies.
This made portions of the United States the most polluted in the world, worse than cities in South Asia and China, which ordinarily dominate the global rankings, with no improvement anticipated until the weekend.
“Today’s air quality is extremely unhealthy,” tweeted the city’s Energy & Environment Department.
The general public may experience health effects, while sensitive groups may experience more severe health problems.
Commuters donned N-95 masks, and the National Zoo closed “for the safety of our animals, our staff, and our guests.”
Washington Nationals’ afternoon game against Arizona Diamondbacks has been postponed.
The capital’s public schools canceled all outdoor activities, including playtime, physical education, athletic practices, and games.
Low visibility required secure traffic management in New York City, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, according to the FAA.
After a delay, flights to New York La Guardia and Philadelphia International resumed. Environmental organizations were quick to draw attention to climate change. Which is causing conditions that are warmer and drier, which increase the risk and size of wildfires.
May Boeve, chief executive officer of 350.org, stated, “This is the climate crisis right now, causing dangerous air pollution and threatening the health of millions of people.
Her remarks paralleled those of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who tweeted. “With global temperatures rising, it is imperative to reduce the risk of wildfires immediately. “We must make peace with nature. We cannot surrender.”
“Reminded me of Sept. 11”
Even though the AQI index remained elevated, New York’s skies were noticeably clearer than the day before. At train stations, transit stops, and parks, officials distributed face coverings.
Linda Jiuliano, a 65-year-old secretary, eagerly accepted one at Midtown Manhattan’s Grand Central station.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said, characterizing the sepia-colored smog that enveloped New York City on Wednesday as “scary.”
“Seeing the sky all smoky and everything reminded me a lot of 9/11,” said Juliano, who kept the windows closed and the air conditioner on at her home in Huntington, Long Island.
Environment Canada predicts that Toronto will be the location in Canada where wildfire pollution reaches its zenith.
