New York City finds itself enveloped in an unprecedented blanket of smoke and haze as wildfires ravage Canadian forests, causing air quality alerts to remain in effect across the Northeast of United States, the Ohio Valley, and the Mid-Atlantic. With the worst air quality in the world, New York ranked number one among cities grappling with this hazardous situation. As captured in a video by @westerley167 on 7th June, 2023, the smoke and smell of fire in New York from Canada have left residents astounded.

The Canadian province of Quebec is currently battling more than 160 out-of-control fires, while Alberta and British Columbia are also grappling with dozens of wildfires. This grim situation has led to Canada's worst wildfire season ever recorded, with approximately 240 active fires reported. The dire consequences of these fires are now being felt in the United States, as hazardous particles degrade air quality as far south as South Carolina. Even areas as distant as the Georgia-Florida border have experienced hints of smoke.

Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and limit their exposure to the smoke as much as possible, including during exercise. Experts recommend closely monitoring local air quality and wearing masks capable of filtering out tiny particles, such as N95 or KN95 masks. While the smoke plumes are expected to somewhat disperse after Friday morning, the urgency to protect public health remains high.