Washington, D.C., USA, is currently grappling with the most severe air pollution levels witnessed in recent years as smoke from Canadian wildfires engulfs the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. On Thursday, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) issued a rare Code Purple air quality advisory, primarily due to the high concentration of harmful fine particulate matter originating from the wildfire smoke. This marks the first time the region has experienced such an advisory, with previous instances limited to ozone pollution in 2012.

As a result of the alarming air quality, COG has recommended that individuals with respiratory ailments and other sensitive groups refrain from engaging in any outdoor physical activities. Additionally, the general population is advised to limit or avoid prolonged and intense outdoor exertion. The smoky haze has significantly reduced visibility in the capital, as witnessed in a video captured by @starlitdazzle during an airplane landing on 9th June, 2023 morning. In the video, she comments on the challenge of recognizing Washington, D.C.'s iconic buildings due to the obscured skyline.