Washington, June 8 (EFE).- The haze caused by smoke continues to spread across the Northeast United States, where millions of citizens remain on alert for the risk of inhaling potentially harmful air from the hundreds of forest fires that are taking place in Canada.
After the unusual images published on Wednesday of iconic buildings such as the Empire State Building surrounded by a cloud of orange smoke, the US Capitol in Washington woke up this Thursday in a cloud of smoke.
The authorities have urged the population to limit the time they spend outdoors and to wear masks to avoid inhaling smoke that could contain polluting particles.
Poor air quality due to smoke
Through social networks, the National Meteorological Service explained this Thursday what to do if a poor air quality alert is issued: “Stay inside, stay informed, minimize the use of vehicles and other machines that run on gasoline, and do not burn waste or other items,” he said.
All of this is the result of heavy smoke from more than 430 active wildfires raging across Canada and parts of the northeastern United States.
According to forecasts, the air, which has pushed the smoke towards the south of the country, may take several days to clear in an area where approximately 75 million people live.
canceled utilities
Some public services have been cancelled. For example, public schools in Yonkers, New York, are closed Thursday, and schools in New York, Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC have canceled outdoor activities.
In Washington, this morning the air quality index exceeded 310 and reached level 6 or “dangerous”, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Air quality in New York began to improve slightly Thursday morning, though still at a “very unhealthy” level 5 out of 6.
The most affected areas
Philadelphia, Harrisburg, in Pennsylvania, and Washington DC are now the areas most affected by smoke that also affects large cities such as Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati or Indianapolis.
There are more than 400 active wildfires in Canada and authorities have warned that this year will be one of the worst in the country’s history.
