Urgent warning as Northeast choked by smoke from wildfires
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An urgent air quality warning is in place for New York and parts of New England as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to choke the US.
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, parts of Eastern New York, and Southern Maine are under air quality alerts through Saturday.
Areas like Boston, Providence, and Burlington will face 'unhealthy' levels, with the capital of Massachusetts reaching as high as 155, according to Fox Weather.
'Good' air quality is from zero to 50, while moderate is 51 to 100. Over 150 means some of the general public will experience health effects and sensitive members have a higher risk of serious reactions.
Short-term health effects include irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, and could cause sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Residents in some areas are being urged to limit the amount of time they spend outdoors.
The majority of the Northeast will fall in the moderate and unhealthy for sensitive people - including pregnant women and young children - but that doesn't mean residents won't see the side effects.
New York City, which falls in the moderate category, has already begun to see hazy skies through the middle of the day on Saturday.
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, parts of Eastern New York, and Southern Maine are under air quality alerts through Saturday (pictured: Montreal on June 6)
Areas like Boston, Providence, and Burlington will face 'unhealthy' levels, with the capital of Massachusetts reaching as high as 155
Air quality is expected to be between 101 and 150 on Sunday in the Big Apple, NYC's Emergency Management advised.
The smoke came in behind a cold front on Friday, according to Fox Weather.
Northerly winds and high pressure trapped the smoke, leading to air quality issues across the region.
The smoke will move toward the ocean as rain from the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley move toward the area late Saturday.
The haze should fully clear out by Sunday, according to Fox Weather.
However, it might not leave for long as it could return early next week.
There are currently 550 wildfires burning in Canada, scorching 15million acres.
The blazes have left Montreal with the worst air quality in the world on Saturday morning, according to Town and Country Today.
The smoke came in behind a cold front on Friday, according to Fox Weather. The smoke will move toward the ocean as rain from the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley move toward the area late Saturday. The haze should fully clear out by Sunday
A fire in Canadian in May. There are currently 550 wildfires burning in Canada, scorching 15million acres
By the afternoon, it dropped to second place, behind Kinshasa, Congo.
Environment Canada has urged Canadians in Montreal to reschedule outdoor events and to stay indoors.
'During heavy smoke conditions, everyone’s health is at risk regardless of their age or health status,' the agency said.
Quebec is also expected to return to normal air quality levels by Sunday.
Daily Mail
