Romain Rouillard / Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP 17:26 pm, June 08, 2023

Impressive forest fires are currently ravaging Quebec in southeastern Canada, generating thick grayish smoke visible as far as Washington, even though it is located more than 1,100 kilometers away. The authorities advise against all outdoor physical activity, with pollution levels reaching historic levels.

After Alberta at the beginning of May, it is Quebec's turn to burn under the effect of forest fires. Massive fires are currently ravaging all of eastern Canada, fanned by the wind that disperses smoke all along the coast, all the way to the United States. The entire region is thus immersed in a veritable screed of dust making the air difficult to breathe.

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Just like Ottawa, the Canadian capital, located a few kilometres west of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. It is in this region, as well as along the St. Lawrence River east of Montreal, that the blazes are most devastating. Totally encapsulated in a huge cloud of smog, the city of Ottawa has very poor air quality, likely to expose the population to a "very high risk", according to Environment Canada.

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Same observation, here in Montreal where the municipal authorities have called on residents to be cautious. Considered "high" throughout the day Tuesday by Environment Canada, the risks related to air quality are again "low" this Thursday. It must be said that the cloud of smog is currently sliding towards the neighboring United States.

Many flights delayed at New York airport

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In New York, the cloud of smoke even took on an ochre color, as if a sandstorm was hitting the Big Apple. Enough to make it the most polluted city in the world on Tuesday, according to the Swiss site IQAir. "We recommend that frail New Yorkers stay indoors and all residents should limit their outdoor activities as much as possible. This is not the day to train for the marathon or go play with your kids outside," Eric Adams, the city's mayor, told reporters.

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Surgical masks, ubiquitous in the midst of the pandemic, were quick to reappear on residents' faces. In addition, many flights were delayed from JFK airport.

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Georgia and Alabama soon to be affected

Located more than 1,100 kilometers from the flames, Washington DC does not escape the fog that envelops the obelisk of the National Monument. The White House was also difficult to see from several hundred meters away and a foul smell spread to the four corners of the city. As in New York and Maryland, public schools have cancelled outdoor activities for children.

The smoke is expected to continue to increase in the coming days and reach Georgia and Alabama. For now, more than 100 million Americans are currently affected by air quality alerts, the environmental protection agency told AFP. US President Joe Biden has offered his help to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as nearly 2,300 forest fires have already been recorded in Canada in 2023.