Images of the famous Statue of Liberty and the “skyline” of Manhattan shrouded in a yellow-orange fog are flooding social networks. The reason for this thick fog? Huge fires hitting Canada and worrying up to the highest peak of the state since more than 100 million Americans are currently affected by air quality alerts, a direct consequence of the huge plumes of smoke coming from the neighboring country. This Wednesday, June 7, the American president spoke with his counterpart Justin Trudeau and offered him his help in dealing with this disaster of unparalleled magnitude.
Where are these fumes coming from?
Quebec, which has become the epicenter of the forest fires that are engulfing much of Canada, expects to have to evacuate thousands more over the next few hours. The country as a whole is experiencing an unprecedented year: 2,293 forest fires have been recorded and approximately 3.8 million hectares burned, a total well above the average of recent decades.
In addition to some Canadian cities, several areas in the United States, including New York, were on Wednesday on alert because of air pollution, and many schools have, for example, given up recreation or outdoor sports.
Aerial view released by the British Columbia Fire Service of a fire near Peachland on June 5, 2023 in Canada.
© / afp.com/-
Unbreathable air in New York
Covid masks have reappeared on the streets of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, like Hugh Hill walking his dog in Central Park, the gigantic green lung of the economic and cultural capital of the United States. His eyes and throat “stinging”, this 43-year-old lawyer says he does everything not to breathe too much of this air with its acrid smell, characteristic of burnt wood. “I don’t know if it’s psychological or physical, but I know there are advantages to wearing a mask even if, obviously, it can’t prevent everything,” he confides.
Since Tuesday, city and state authorities have been increasing alert messages to make New Yorkers aware of the sudden and unprecedented impact of these fires in Canada, the intensity and frequency of which are linked to the change climatic.
100 million Americans affected by air quality alerts
More than 100 million Americans are affected by air quality alerts because of smoke from fires in Canada, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told AFP. These alerts concern most of the northeastern United States, from Chicago in the north to Atlanta in the south. Air quality in this area “is primarily impacted by Canadian fires, although other local pollution emissions and weather may also play a role,” the EPA said.
The populations concerned are under an “orange” alert, corresponding to a possible impact on the health of fragile people (elderly people, asthmatics, children, etc.), or an alert of a higher level. Many major cities, such as New York and Washington, were on Wednesday affected by a red alert, a level at which the general population can also feel the effects on their health – effects then aggravated for the fragile.
The White House on Wednesday called on Americans whose health is fragile to “take precautions” in the face of deteriorating air quality. “We urge everyone in affected areas to be mindful of local conditions. Make sure your neighbours, friends, family are well. Take precautions especially if you have any health issues,” Karine- Jean Pierre, spokesperson for the American executive.
Biden spoke with Trudeau
United States President Joe Biden has offered to help Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a call about the “devastating and historic” wildfires in Canada, the White House reported on Wednesday.
“The President has directed his team to deploy all federal firefighting assets that can quickly help extinguish the fires affecting Canadian and American communities,” the statement said, as smoke from the fires blanketed a large part of the northeastern United States.