Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets New York, outdoor activities suspended and masks distributed

Authorities in New York have raised the alarm after thick clouds of smoke caused by wildfires in Canada engulfed the city.

With Manhattan’s sky turning orange, health officials have urged residents to reduce the time they spend outdoors and limit outdoor activities. Schools, parks and other public institutions have moved their activities indoors, also changing work arrangements. Tens of thousands of masks have been distributed at major transport stations and in other busy areas.

“How can anyone breathe this air? It is not healthy. When I walk outside, it feels like my throat is being scratched,” said a local resident.

“It gives you a very heavy feeling, as if you have asthma. If you do not have something to drink or something to cover your face and mouth, you definitely feel the effects. Your eyes gradually start to burn. In the end, the only way not to be affected is to go indoors somewhere. It is frightening. The situation has become much more extreme,” another resident said.

Similar guidance has also been issued in Philadelphia, where residents have been asked not to engage in strenuous physical exercise and to remain indoors. If they need to go outside, authorities recommend wearing masks.

According to experts, Canada’s exceptionally severe wildfire season this year has been fueled by a combination of weather conditions and human activity. Some of the fires were caused by lightning, others by human activity, while the origin of some cases remains under investigation.