Canadian wildfires delay flights, trigger smoke alerts across eastern US
Smoke from Canadian wildfires Wildfire smoke casts a haze on the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall on June 07, 2023 in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Authorities warned residents in the eastern part of the United States to stay indoors and limit their exposure to outside air as wildfires rage in Canada, sending smoke across the border.
Update 6:58 p.m. EDT June 7: The Broadway production of “Hamilton” and a Shakespeare in the Park production of Hamlet were canceled on Wednesday evening, according to The New York Times.
“Hamilton” announced the cancellation at 6:45 p.m. EDT, stating that “so many” cast members had called in sick.
“Tonight’s performance of Hamilton will not go on as scheduled,” Shane Marshall Brown, a spokesman for the production, said in a statement. “The hazardous air quality in New York City has made it impossible for a number of our artists to perform this evening. Shows will resume as scheduled tomorrow. We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to visit your point of purchase for refund or exchange.”
The Public Theater canceled the final dress rehearsal for “Hamlet” on Wednesday night, adding that previews for the play on Thursday and Friday also have been canceled.
‘Stay indoors,’ NYC mayor urges residents
Update 6:46 p.m. EDT June 7: New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to stay indoors, The New York Times reported. Adams said during a second news conference on Wednesday that the air quality level in the city had hit a hazardous level at 484.
Adams added that smoke levels in the city were expected to improve on Thursday morning but could deteriorate by the afternoon.
Upstate in Syracuse, the air-quality index topped 400 for most of the day. The Syracuse Mets canceled its Wednesday night game as a result, according to the newspaper.
Accoriding to school officials in Syracuse, all outdoor activities for Thursday were canceled, including recess, sporting events, field trips and after-school activities.
-- Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Sporting events postponed in NYC, Philadelphia
Update 4:42 p.m. EDT June 7: The New York Yankees, citing poor air quality, postponed Wednesday night’s baseball game at Yankee Stadium between the Yankees and the Chicago White Sox.
The game was rescheduled as the first game of a single-admission doubleheader for Thursday at 4:05 p.m. EDT.
Also, a WNBA game between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty was postponed because of air quality issues that were affecting conditions at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, The New York Times reported.
Major League Baseball also announced that the Philadelphia Phillies’ home game against the Detroit Tigers was rescheduled for 6:05 p.m. EDT on Thursday, ESPN reported.
A National Women’s Soccer League game in Harrison, New Jersey, between Orlando and Gotham was also called off due to the hazy conditions. That game will be played on Aug. 9, ESPN reported.
“The match could not be safely conducted based on the projected air quality index,” the NWSL said in a statement.
-- Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
NYC has worst air in world
Update 3:25 p.m. EDT June 7: Air quality monitoring site IQAir on Wednesday deemed New York City to have the worst air quality in the world.
As of 3:25 p.m. Wednesday, the city had an air quality index number of 355, marking the air as hazardous. According to the U.S. government’s AirNow, air quality index numbers of 300 and above encapsulate “emergency conditions” in which “everyone is more likely to be affected.”
A time-lapse shared by the National Weather Service’s New York office showed the severity of the situation.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates had the second-worst air quality in the world, with an air quality index number of 168.
Air traffic bound for Philadelphia slowed
Update 3:20 p.m. EDT June 7: Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration delayed air traffic headed for Philadelphia on Wednesday due to reduced visibility caused by wildfire smoke.
The decision came after the FAA earlier slowed traffic to and from New York City-area airports.
Earlier Wednesday, officials with the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office warned that thicker smoke was blowing into the area and likely to “expand across the rest of our area this afternoon (and) evening.”
Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection warned people across the state to limit their outdoor activities due to the air quality.
FAA slows flights to, from NYC-area airports
Update 2:40 p.m. EDT June 7: Reduced visibility caused by wildfire smoke blowing into the U.S. from Canada prompted officials to slow traffic to and from airports in the New York City area on Wednesday.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the slowdown was prompted by low visibility.
Satellite images from the National Weather Service earlier showed heavy smoke continuing to move over central New York and northern Pennsylvania. Officials warned people to “expect a reduction in visibility, poor air quality (and) the smell of smoke.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a social media post on Wednesday that an air quality advisory for the city had been extended until late Thursday night.
“Mask up and limit your outdoor activities,” he said.
Original report: Wildfires in Canada, particularly in southern Quebec, are creating the smoke. According to the National Weather Service, the area’s fires are producing a large amount of high-density smoke that has drifted over much of the eastern U.S. and parts of the Southeast and Midwest. Fires in British Columbia and Washington were also producing smoke that authorities described as “mainly light.”
According to IQAir, a site that tracks air quality worldwide, New York City and Detroit were among the top 10 cities with the worst air quality on Wednesday.
Forecasters told The New York Times that air quality is likely to be at unhealthy levels for days. It is likely to improve later in the week, according to the NWS.
Officials urged people to check the air quality forecast for their area before going outdoors.
“Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, and it can aggravate health problems such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease,” officials with the NWS said.
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - JUNE 07: Hazy skies caused by Canadian wildfires blanket the monuments and skyline of Washington, DC on June 7, 2023 as seen from Arlington, Virginia. The Washington DC area is under a Code Orange air quality alert indicating unhealthy air for some members of the general public. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: A water taxi moves past the Statue of Liberty on a hazy morning resulting from Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec causing air quality health alerts for New York State and parts of New England. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: The sun over New York City takes on a red appearance on a hazy morning resulting from Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec causing air quality health alerts for New York State and parts of New England. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Manhattan sits under a thick haze resulting from Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Manhattan is enveloped in a dense haze caused by wildfires in Canada on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: The Manhattan skyline stands shrouded in a reddish haze as a result of Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: The sun over New York City takes on a red appearance on a hazy morning resulting from Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec causing air quality health alerts for New York State and parts of New England. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: The Statue of Liberty stands shrouded in a reddish haze as a result of Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: People look out over Manhattan enveloped in a dense haze caused by wildfires in Canada on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: People walk along the Brooklyn Promenade as a reddish haze enshrouds the Manhattan skyline as a result of Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - JUNE 07: Hazy skies caused by Canadian wildfires blanket the monuments and skyline of Washington, DC on June 7, 2023 as seen from Arlington, Virginia. The Washington DC area is under a Code Orange air quality alert indicating unhealthy air for some members of the general public. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: People look out over Manhattan enveloped in a dense haze caused by wildfires in Canada on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
APTOPIX Canada Wildfires New York Traffic moves along West Street past One World Trade Center, in this mirror image reflected in the facade of a building, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in New York, amidst smokey haze from wildfires in Canada. Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks. (AP Photo/Andy Bao) (Andy Bao)
Canadian Wildfires New York People view New York City in a haze-filled sky from the Empire State Building observatory, Wednesday, June. 7, 2023, in New York. Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Yuki Iwamura)
Canada Wildfires New York Pedestrians pass the One World Trade Center, center, amidst a smokey haze from wildfires in Canada, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in New York. Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (Julie Jacobson)
Canadian Wildfires New York People take pictures of the New York skyline in a haze-filled sky from the Empire State Building observatory, Wednesday, June. 7, 2023, in New York. Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Yuki Iwamura)
APTOPIX Canada Wildfires New York In a view toward Brooklyn, a boat maneuvers the East River near the Manhattan Bridge, left, and Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is pouring into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest and covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze. (AP Photo/Alyssa Goodman) (Alyssa Goodman)
Canada Wildfires In this GOES-16 GeoColor and fire temperature satellite image taken Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 6:40 p.m. EDT and provided by CIRA/NOAA, smoke from wildfires burning in the Canadian Provinces of Quebec, right, and Ontario, left, drift southward. (CIRA/NOAA via AP) (Uncredited)
White Sox Yankees Baseball New York Yankees' Clarke Schmidt pitches to Chicago White Sox's Tim Anderson during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in New York. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has traveled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)
Canada Wildfires New York The New York City Skyline is seen through haze Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)