Toronto, June 6 (ZXS) -- June 7 is Canada's "Clean Air Day" this year. But a wide area from Kasi to Katong is shrouded in smog and dust caused by wildfires that rage and spread in many places.
On June 6, local time, affected by the smoke of wildfires in Canada continuing to move south, New York, USA, was shrouded in "orange smog". On that day, New York became the city with the worst air pollution in the world. The picture shows New York Times Square. Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Fan
Toronto, Canada's largest city, is experiencing severe air pollution from wildfires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec. The air quality risk level on the 7th was higher than the previous day, and it was in a medium risk state. During the day, the sky is gray, and the smell of burning smoke can be clearly smelled in the outdoor air.
The City of Toronto canceled some outdoor entertainment events scheduled for the 7th and 8th. Some school boards in the Greater Toronto Area have suspended outdoor sports activities for students, among other things.
Due to wind patterns and topographical factors, the air quality in the capital Ottawa is at the worst level among major cities in the country, and it was once classified as "very high risk" by the meteorological department on the 7th.
There are about 9 wildfires in nine provinces and two territories in Canada, more than half of which are out of control. More than 2,440 square kilometers have been burned, making the wildfire season so far this year the fourth worst on record. Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Tony Blair said that at the current rate of wildfires, the disaster is expected to set a new record next week.
On the 7th, the Canadian environmental department issued air quality alerts of varying ranges and degrees to Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and other provinces and territories. Poor air quality is expected to continue into the weekend.
The picture shows that on June 6, local time, New York, USA, was shrouded in smoke.
In mid-May and late May, the Canadian federal government provided assistance to the two severely wildfire-affected provinces, including military personnel and related equipment, at the request of Alberta and Nova Scotia. Quebec has also recently sought support from the federal government.
Although Alberta has lifted the provincial state of emergency, there are still more than 60 fires, and the fire ban is still in effect. There are more than 160 wildfires in Quebec, nearly 120 of which are out of control. There are nearly 50 active fires in Ontario. Nova Scotia is experiencing the largest wildfire ever.
Ontario Premier Ford told the media that about half of the wildfires in the province are caused by lightning strikes, and the other half are caused by human factors such as camping campfires that are not properly extinguished.
The soot from Canada's wildfires has already spread to neighboring the United States. Air quality in cities such as New York and Washington has deteriorated significantly.
Nearly a thousand firefighters from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are helping to respond to fires across Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau spoke with US President Biden on the 7th to discuss the current wildfires in Canada and their impact on air quality in Canada and the United States. Trudeau thanked the U.S. for its support in fighting the fire. Both sides agreed on the need to work together to address the devastating effects of climate change.
Canada's wildfire season typically lasts from early April to late October. Canadian officials say that with climate change, the country's wildfire season is becoming longer and more severe. Smoke from wildfires in forests and grasslands can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. (End)