New York is covered in smoky haze this week, as more than a hundred wildfires burned in northern Quebec, leading to air quality warnings in Canada and the U.S.
A video shared by Twitter user @JHood341 shows the New York City skyline obscured by a smoky haze on Wednesday.
More than 150 active fires burning in the Canadian province of Quebec have forced thousands of evacuations and lowered air quality in the U.S., officials said. Dozens of fires remained active in neighboring Ontario, and other provinces, as high temperatures and dry conditions have contributed to an intense start to the wildfire season across Canada.
According to the latest report from the Quebec government on June 7, 137 fires are currently active. There have been 443 fires in the province so far this year affecting 637,970 hectares. In Ontario, the provincial government said there have been 159 fires so far in 2023, compared to a 10-year average of 154. Fire season doesn’t end until October 31.
Environment Canada on Monday issued several air quality and smog warnings across Quebec and southeastern Ontario, urging residents in some areas to wear respirators. In the U.S., air quality warnings were issued in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and New York.
According to the latest National Wildland Fire Situation Report from Natural Resources Canada issued on May 31, there were 267 net new fire starts in the previous week, with 58 of those attributed to lightning.
Province-wide bans on open fires are in place in Nova Scotia and Quebec in the eastern part of the country, while Saskatchewan has bans in the north and northwest of the province. Alberta is under a state of emergency following a spate of fires, and fire bans, restrictions or advisories are in place across the province.