Canada wildfire smoke updates: Philadelphia under code red alert as eastern US suffers unhealthy air

Major metro areas in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut now have air quality indexes above 150 - which is considered "unhealthy," according to the government website AirNow.gov.New York City; Jersey City, New Jersey; and New Haven, Connecticut all had "unhealthy" AQIs ranging from 155 to 171 on Wednesday morning.

The elderly, young children and those who are pregnant or have heart or lung conditions could experience serious health effects from the smoke, said James Garrow, spokesperson for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health."For those who are not considered to be in a sensitive group, we are asking those folks to avoid strenuous activities outdoors like jogging or exercising," Garrow told CNN Wednesday.

Air quality in the US Northeast has deteriorated this week as more than 150 wildfires rage in Quebec, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.In Quebec, the entire town of Chibougamau - population 7,000 - is under a mandatory evacuation order as fast-moving wildfires wreak havoc across the region.

More than 9 million acres have been charred by wildfires in all of Canada this year - about 15 times the normal burned area for this point in the year. The nation's largest public school district canceled all outdoor activities Wednesday, but will remain open. At least 10 school districts in central New York state canceled outdoor activities and events Tuesday.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

NYC cancels outdoor school activities, issues mask warning amid unhealthy air in NY, NJMayor Adams is urging New Yorkers to limit their time outdoors today, and city schools have canceled all outdoor activities as a blanket of bad air engulfs the city and surrounding areas.
Source: Gothamist - 🏆 456. / 53 Read more »

Philly, NJ under ‘critical’ wildfire threat as unusual thunderstorm pattern loomsA highly unusual weather pattern is bringing critically dangerous wildfire conditions Tuesday to a swath of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, including the Philadelphia and New Jersey area.
Source: nypost - 🏆 91. / 67 Read more »

Canadian wildfire smoke returns to parts of the Midwest and NortheastThe devastating wildfire emergency continues across a large swath of Canada, with several large fires burning out of control, from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador as of Monday afternoon.
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »

Canadian wildfire smoke returns to parts of the Midwest and NortheastNEW YORK — The devastating wildfire emergency continues across a large swath of Canada, with numerous large fires burning out of control, from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador as of Monday afternoon.
Source: WOKVNews - 🏆 247. / 63 Read more »

New York City in code red ‘unhealthy’ air quality as Canadian wildfire smoke pours into NortheastOfficials are imploring those sensitive to smoke to stay indoors as air quality reaches unhealthy levels in the Big Apple on Tuesday.
Source: nypost - 🏆 91. / 67 Read more »

Northeast Sees Smoke From Canada's Wildfires | Weather.comThese photos show just how bad the wildfire smoke situation is in the Northeast today:
Source: weatherchannel - 🏆 671. / 51 Read more »