The nearly 8.5 million residents of New York City woke up to an unusual sight today. The once-blue sky of the Big Apple has been transformed into a haunting shade of orange, causing alarm among the population. This dramatic change in the sky has raised concerns about the underlying cause, which could potentially worsen in the hours to come.
In recent days, numerous wildfires have erupted in Canada, resulting in smoke that has drifted across the sky and reached various parts of the United States, including New York. As a result, health authorities have issued a warning regarding the deteriorating air quality, particularly for vulnerable groups who may be severely affected.
Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing lung or respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are especially at risk. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has urged residents to exercise caution as the fires in the neighboring country not only produce smoke but also contribute to hazy conditions and a distinct smell of burning wood.
Unfortunately, the situation is expected to persist for several more days, as the fires in Canada continue to rage uncontrollably. Currently, there are 249 active fires in the country, with a total of 413 fires reported. Thousands of hectares have already been consumed by these blazes in the past few hours, and there is little hope for improvement on this Thursday.
This exacerbates the already troubling air quality issues faced by New York City, which ranks third among cities with the poorest air quality for its residents. As the day progresses, the smoke and haze are anticipated to intensify further.
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