The smoke, product of the more than one hundred forest fires that occur in the province of Quebec, Canada, reached NY, whose air became polluted and became a danger to its millions of inhabitants, who watched as a dense orange mist covered them. The authorities of The big Apple They recommended the use of masks and return to classes and/or virtual jobs until everything returns to normal. But when will this happen?
If you are also one of those who asks this question, in the following paragraphs we will let you know what the experts say. Before we specified that the fires in the Canadian city began in the first days of June 2023, but quickly spread due to an electrical storm.
THE SMOKE THAT WORRIES NEW YORK
As a result of the devastating fires in Quebec, the atmosphere in New York became heavy, making the Statue of Liberty and the skyscrapers of Manhattan, which always stood out, now not so noticeable; flights were even suspended due to poor visibility for the pilots. The worst thing is that the smoke polluted the air.
IT IS A WEATHER PATTERN
Meteorologists point out that New York is under a weather pattern known as the “Omega Block”, a kind of large high pressure ridge that is located in the center of North America and that goes down on the east and west coast; that is, similar to the Greek letter omega (Ω). Generally, it has a low-high-low pattern.
WHEN IS THE SMOKE EXPECTED TO CLEAR IN NEW YORK?
The smoke from New York will disappear only when the wind direction changes or the fires in Canada end, something that in the short term is unlikely, since they are not yet controlled. Therefore, poor air quality will continue.
“Since the fires are raging and they are really big, they will probably continue for weeks. But really, it will only be about the change of wind”specified Bryan Ramsey, a meteorologist with the US National Weather Service, according to a publication Telemundo 47.
EVEN THOUGH THE AIR QUALITY HAS IMPROVED, IS IT ENOUGH?
On Friday, June 9, New York City woke up to moderate air quality, noting that the dense orange haze continues to move to the south. Does it mean it will go back to normal?
There is not much certainty, since the forecasts of the US National Weather Service indicate that this phenomenon will continue to affect regions from the Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlanticwhich translates into reduced air quality, according to The NY Journal.
NEW YORK WAS ON THE BLACK LIST
As soon as the haze from the fires in Canada reached New York, it was included in the black list of cities with the worst air quality conditions in the world on June 6 and 7, according to the IQair portal. Fortunately, he has already left that unwanted ranking that nobody wants to be, although they ask the public to stay alert.
“Things are looking better, but there is still an air quality and health advisory today. ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ air quality index levels are forecast for the Long Island, New York City metropolitan area and Western New York regions”published the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
WHAT HEALTH RISKS DOES IT REPRESENT?
While waiting for conditions to improve, public health officials asked their citizens not to expose themselves outdoors, as they may be harmed in the short or long term.
“Smoke from wildfires contains very small particles, or PM2.5, the smallest pollutant, but also the most dangerous. When inhaled, it can travel deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream. It comes from sources like burning fossil fuels, dust storms, and wildfires, and has been linked to a number of health problems, including asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory diseases.”accurate ABC News.