Firefighters in Canada continue combating hundreds of wildfires, which are sending massive amounts of smoke south to the U.S., engulfing New York City and Washington D.C. in a yellow-orangish haze.
By Wednesday, the New York City skyline was barely visible from New Jersey across the Hudson River. A video posted on Twitter shows the sheer extent of the hazardous hazy fog in the Big Apple.
“The George Washington Bridge between New York and New Jersey,” BNO News tweeted, along with a video showing the apocalyptic-like yellow-orangish haze that completely blocks out the entire skyline of NYC and only shows a partial glimpse of the George Washington Bridge.
In our nation’s capital, the National Mall and Washington Monument were also engulfed in a rainless gray-like foggy haze.
Twitter users were quick to voice their surprised reaction to the apocalyptic scene and poke fun at the crazy situation, including one user who jokingly tweeted, “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.”
The office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams released a statement earlier this week alerting residents that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for all five boroughs over the Canadian wildfire smoke. The mayor’s office recommended older adults or those with heart or breathing problems who need to be outside “wear a high-quality mask (e.g. N95 or KN95).”
Adams’ office also urged New Yorkers to “limit outdoor activity and stay inside when possible” because “people with heart or breathing problems and children and older adults may be especially sensitive” to the wildfire smoke.
“Currently, we are taking precautions out of an abundance of caution to protect New Yorkers’ health until we are able to get a better sense of future air quality reports,” Adams said. “We recommend all New Yorkers limit outdoor activity to the greatest extent possible. Those with preexisting respiratory problems, like heart or breathing problems, as well as children and older adults may be especially sensitive and should stay indoors at this time.”
