June 6, 2023
Tens of millions of people across North America are waking up to a perilous air quality emergency as devastating wildfires rage in Canada. Smoke engulfs vast regions of Ontario and Quebec, while an eerie orange haze looms over the northeastern United States. Toronto and New York briefly ranked among the world's worst affected areas overnight, alarming residents and officials.
The source of much of the smoke is Quebec, where a staggering 160 fires continue to burn. Canadian authorities are gravely concerned, declaring this the country's most severe wildfire season on record. Experts attribute this escalating trend to an abnormal spring characterized by warmer temperatures and scarce rainfall, conditions predicted to persist throughout the summer.
Environmental agencies have issued the highest air quality warnings, designating Ottawa as a "very high risk" to public health. In Toronto and surrounding areas, the air quality is classified as "high risk." As a precautionary measure, the Atikamekw community of Opitciwan, located 350km (217 miles) north of Montreal, has evacuated individuals with asthma and respiratory issues to protect them from the deteriorating air conditions.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also classified the air quality in numerous northeastern regions as "unhealthy," with heightened risks for those with respiratory concerns. Disturbingly, approximately 100 million people throughout North America are believed to be under some form of air quality warning.
New York City found itself shrouded in an unsettling orange haze, obscuring iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. In response to the worsening conditions, all outdoor activities in public schools have been indefinitely suspended, and Mayor Eric Adams cautioned that the situation is expected to deteriorate further throughout the day. Local residents described the scent of smoke resembling a campfire by Tuesday evening.
As air quality levels in the Washington DC area reached "code red," schools canceled outdoor activities on Wednesday morning. Detroit, on the other hand, earned the unfortunate distinction of being the world's fifth-worst major metropolitan area for air pollution, according to IQAir's rankings.
Public health officials are issuing stern warnings, advising people to avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to the smoke due to the immediate and long-term health risks it poses. The wildfires have already engulfed over 3.3 million hectares of land in Canada, an area twelve times larger than the 10-year average for this time of year. Evacuations have been carried out in multiple regions, including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories.
The heightened risk of wildfires can be attributed to climate change, which fosters hot, dry weather conditions conducive to their spread. With global temperatures having already risen by approximately 1.2°C since the industrial era, urgent action to reduce emissions is imperative to mitigate further warming.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to a range of health issues, experts warn. Immediate effects include shortness of breath, elevated pulse, chest pain, and inflammation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Hospitals are experiencing an influx of patients on days of heightened air pollution, particularly individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
However, the long-term consequences are even more alarming. Studies suggest that wildfire smoke can contribute to serious health problems such as cancer and lung disease, particularly affecting residents in fire-prone areas. Small particles in the smoke can enter the bloodstream and cause DNA mutations and other health complications. Pregnant women and their unborn children are also at risk from prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke.
In areas farther away from the fires but still under air advisories, experts advise limiting outdoor activities to reduce smoke inhalation. They recommend staying indoors and minimizing exposure. In regions closer to the fires, wearing N95
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