Satellite Images Show Canadian Wildfire Smoke Enveloping US East Coast As Air Quality Deteriorates

Smoke from wildfires in Canada is affecting air quality in parts of the U.S. Northeast, environmental officials said, and satellite images are showing the large-scale impact of the blazes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday one of its satellites showed some of the smoke being "swept up" by a swirling system.

An air quality health advisory was in effect Wednesday for much of New York, according to the state's Department of Environmental Conservation. The advisory showed air quality was "unhealthy" for the New York City metropolitan area, Eastern Lake Ontario and Central New York. It said air quality was "unhealthy for sensitive groups" in Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley and Western New York. Air quality in the Adirondacks was "moderate," according to the advisory.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said New Yorkers should limit outdoor activity Wednesday, adding that children, older adults and those with heart or breathing problems may be "especially sensitive and should avoid outdoor activities during this time."

"This is an unprecedented event in our city, and New Yorkers must take precautions," he said.

City leaders said the air quality has not been this bad since the 1960s, CBS News New York reported. 

On Wednesday afternoon, skies in the greater New York City area were growing increasingly orange. New Jersey officials upgraded the state's air quality alert to "unhealthy," while the governor strongly advised residents to stay inside. He said his team was "vigilantly" monitoring the wildfires and their impact.

Air quality warnings were also in effect in Maryland, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Delaware — with effects moving further down the East Coast. The National Weather Service in Atlanta, Georgia, said reduced air quality was possible Wednesday and into the night due to smoke from the Canadian fires.

Late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, Philadelphia had the worst air quality of any major city in the world, with and Air Quality Index of 447, CBS Philadelphia reported.

More than 100 wildfires are burning across the Canadian border in Quebec and Ottawa, with more than 9.3 million acres "charred," The Weather Channel's Stephanie Abrams said on "CBS Mornings" Wednesday. And the smoke that has since drifted to the U.S. "could last for a while." 

"There's going to be thick smoke pollution at least through Saturday, especially in the Northeast," she said. 

The National Weather Service advised people in the region to monitor their local air quality forecasts before spending time outdoors. 

"Poor air quality can be hazardous," NWS tweeted. "Before spending time outdoors, check the air quality forecast. Make sure you aren't doing yourself more harm than good." 

Poor air quality postpones sports across the Northeast

Major League Baseball and the WNBA are among the sports leagues postponing games due to the air quality.

The New York Yankees postponed their game against the Chicago White Sox until Thursday and the WNBA's New York Liberty postponed their game against the Minnesota Lynx. A makeup time for that game has yet to be announced. The National Women's Soccer League postponed its Wednesday match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Orlando Pride, which has since been rescheduled for August 9.

Down I-95 in Philadelphia, the Phillies postponed their game against the Detroit Tigers, which the teams hope to make up on Thursday.

First published on June 6, 2023 / 3:49 PM

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