Air quality today: Smoke from wildfires in Canada has closed restaurants and schools with a protest at the White House

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Stunning drone footage shows the New York skyline shrouded in orange haze

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Thick smoke enveloped Washington, D.C., on Thursday as the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (MWCG) issued a “code purple” meaning the air is unhealthy for all people.

The Nationals baseball game has been postponed, the National Zoo is closed for the day and holiday schools have moved indoors as smoke from Canada’s devastating wildfires moves south.

Images from the capital showed thick smoke making it difficult to see the tallest landmark, the Washington Monument.

The MWCG has recommended that residents avoid “intense activities” and stay indoors.

Meanwhile, New York City’s air quality index was lowered from “hazardous” to “unhealthy” after the city was covered in a sci-fi-like orange glow on Wednesday.

At least 13 states have issued air quality alerts, affecting an estimated 115 million people.

There are more than 400 wildfires raging in Canada prompting mass evacuations in the province of Quebec.

Canadian officials have warned that this could be the country’s worst ever wildfire season, with more than 6.7 million acres already burned.

View the latest update 1686254410 from Fox News Fox News guests and hosts are mocking people for wearing masks to block out dangerous wildfire smoke

Fox News hosts have mocked residents of New York and Washington, D.C., for wearing masks after wildfires in Canada enveloped them in acrid smoke.

While New York had the world’s worst air pollution on Wednesday, parade anchors and guests from the right-wing network denied there was clear scientific evidence the smoke was dangerous.

Ariana Bayou Jun 8, 2023 21:00

1686252610 Images show poor visibility in Washington, DC

Ariana Bayou Jun 8, 2023 At 20:30

1686250810 New York public schools are moving to distance learning

New York public schools have moved classes in session on June 9 to remote learning.

“For schools serving grades 9-12 and 6-12 in Districts 1-32 and 79: Students and staff at these schools were scheduled to go in-person on June 9, we are switching to remote education,” she tweeted. New York City Public Schools.

They added, “Additional guidance will be provided soon to teaching staff.”

Schools serving 3K, Pre-K, K-5, 6-8, K-12, and District 75 schools will be closed — although a book day was planned in advance.

Ariana Bayou Jun 8, 2023 20:00

The White House issues a statement regarding the fires

President Joe Biden issued a statement about wildfires in Canada, whose smoke is causing dangerous air quality conditions for people in the United States.

This morning, millions of Americans are reeling from the effects of smoke from devastating wildfires in Canada, another stark reminder of the effects of climate change. Since May, more than 600 American firefighters, support personnel, and firefighting assets have been deployed, working alongside firefighters. Canadian firefighters to address what is likely to be the worst fire season in Canadian history, with huge impacts here in the United States.”

“I spoke yesterday with Prime Minister Trudeau and offered any additional assistance Canada needs to accelerate efforts to put out these fires, particularly those in Quebec, where fires directly affect American communities. I have directed the National Interagency Fire Center to respond immediately to Canadian requests for on additional firefighters and fire suppression assets such as air tankers I have asked Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg to update me on his progress in ensuring that we proactively manage the air traffic ramifications of declining air quality based on lessons learned from past incidents EPA Administrator Regan monitors quality The air is consistent and provides important updates for each relevant zip code; you can find current air quality and updated public health advisories for your area at AirNow.gov. In addition, the CDC offers detailed recommendations about protecting yourself from the effects of wildfire smoke on the CDC website .gov. Stay safe and follow the directions of local officials.”

Ariana Bayou Jun 8, 2023 19:30

1686247210Washington DC under “Code Purple”

As thick clouds of smoke from Canadian wildfires head towards Washington, D.C., the Washington, D.C. Council of Governments issued a “code purple” warning.

The warning means the air quality is “extremely unhealthy” and in some areas “hazardous” putting millions of people in the metropolitan area at risk.

The Washington Nationals postponed their game Thursday, the National Zoo closed, schools moved the holiday indoors, and those who need to be outdoors are advised to wear an N95 or KN95 face covering.

Ariana Bayou Jun 8, 2023 19:00

1686245449 Watch: How to protect your pets from wildfire smoke

How to protect your pets from wildfire smoke

Louise Boyle Jun 8 2023 18:30

Pictured: New York City’s air quality is still noxious

A view bridges over a foggy East River as smoke from wildfires raging in Canada continues to create unhealthy air quality conditions in New York Thursday morning.

East River, New York City. The Big Apple is still on air quality alert as a result of smoke from wildfires in Canada

(EPA/Justin Lin)

Louise Boyle Jun 8 2023 17:50

1686241849 Formula 1 gives Montreal Grand Prix update amid wildfires in Quebec

More than 400 wildfires have broken out across Canada and have so far destroyed 7 million acres. In Quebec, there have been mass evacuations as officials warn this could be the country’s worst wildfire season.

In Montreal, thick smoke descended on the city this week but Formula 1 insists the next race meeting at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will go ahead as planned.

Independent Formula 1 reporter Kieran Jackson has more

Louise Boyle Jun 8 2023 17:30

1686240576 BREAKING: More sports canceled due to wildfire smoke

The Associated Press reports that Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, has canceled horse racing on Thursday due to poor air quality.

There were also more cancellations in Major League Baseball with the Washington Nationals also postponing Thursday’s game.

Louise Boyle Jun 8 2023 17:09

The smog blanketing the United States and Canada may continue through the end of the week

On air quality maps, purple indicates the worst. In fact, it’s a thick, dangerous haze that disrupts daily life for millions of people across the United States and Canada, blurring horizons and turning skies orange, the Associated Press reports.

With weather systems expected to not fluctuate, the smoky blanket rising from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia and sending plumes of fine particulate matter as far away as North Carolina and northern Europe should continue through Thursday and possibly the weekend.

That means at least another day, or more, of a dystopian detour that has chased players from ballparks, actors from Broadway stages, delayed thousands of flights and sparked the resurgence of masks and teleworking — all while raising concerns about the health implications. From prolonged exposure to such bad air.

The weather system that’s pushing out the Great Canadian-American Smog – a low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia – “is likely to remain suspended for at least the next few days,” said US meteorologist Brian Ramsey.

“It is likely that unhealthy conditions will remain, at least until the wind changes direction or the fires are extinguished,” Ramsey said. “Since the fires are raging—they are really big—they can probably go on for weeks. But it just has to do with the shifting winds.”

Louise Boyle Jun 8 2023 16:50

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