Wildfires in Canada: Millions advised to wear masks as smoke billows over US

NEW YORK, June 8 (Audio) Millions in North America are advised to wear N95 masks outdoors as smoke from wildfires in Canada blows across the United States, making air quality ‘unhealthy’ was done.

New York state will begin distributing free masks on Thursday. BBC reports that Canada has advised its citizens to wear masks if they cannot stay indoors.

About 115 million people were placed under air pollution warnings Wednesday night from Texas to Vermont due to smoke and ozone from wildfires. NBC News reports that smoke alone puts about 90 million people on alert in 16 US states.

Much of the smoke is coming from Quebec, where 150 fires have started.

Officials said Wednesday that more than 15,000 residents are expected to be displaced in the state. Quebec is already in its worst fire season on record, British news outlets reported.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday called it a “temporary situation” and announced that New York state would distribute 1 million masks to its residents on Thursday.

Environment Canada said conditions were getting worse in Toronto on Thursday with more smoke pouring in.

“These particulates generally pose the greatest risk to health. However, ventilators do not reduce exposure to gases in wildfire smoke,” said an Environment Canada statement.

Major metropolitan areas, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., are expected to experience “unhealthy air quality” levels for all ages through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

“Exposure to air pollutants can exacerbate health problems such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease, so it’s important to limit the amount of time you spend outdoors. To ensure proper safety. , take a break if possible or wear a mask to protect yourself from the smoke,” the NWS said in a statement Wednesday.

“Hazardous air quality levels will continue across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic through Thursday, then move westward into the Ohio Valley on Friday,” the National Weather Service said.