"Eerie Skies, Even Breathing Feels Scary"...Emergency Declared as Over 800 Wildfires Rage

112 Fires 'Out of Control' Beyond Containment Efforts

Air Quality Alerts Issued in New York and Washington Due to Pollution

Over 800 wildfires have erupted simultaneously across Canada. As wildfire smoke spreads beyond Canada into the northeastern United States, air quality in both countries has deteriorated to the worst levels.

Associated Press Yonhap News Agency

According to foreign media outlets such as NBC on the morning of the 16th (local time), there were a total of 858 wildfires across Canada. Of these, 111 were reported to be 'out of control' and beyond the authorities' ability to manage. The fires are concentrated mainly in the central regions, including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, and the area burned so far amounts to 2.4 million hectares.

The Canadian government has identified the nationwide abnormal heat as the main factor driving the spread of the wildfires. In particular, wildfire smoke generated in northwestern Ontario has flowed in large quantities into major cities, causing a rapid deterioration in Toronto’s air quality. On this day, Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reached a '10+' rating, the highest risk level. At one point, air pollution levels in Toronto surpassed those of places like Delhi, India, making it the most polluted city in the world.

The skyline of New York City covered in wildfire smoke along with the Empire State Building is visible from the 'Edge' observation deck in New York City, USA. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

The dense smoke stained the skies above downtown Toronto a yellowish-brown, with visibility dropping so much that the skyline became faint. With air pollution indices surging, the city of Toronto canceled its planned World Cup outdoor viewing event in downtown squares.

The hazardous wildfire smoke crossed borders, spreading into the U.S. Midwest and Northeast. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) reported that as of today, the noxious haze had reached Washington, D.C., and warned that these conditions could continue through the latter part of this week.

Reports from Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Massachusetts, and other states in the U.S. described the skies turning yellowish-brown. In local media from both Toronto, Canada, and Boston, U.S., reactions included: “The sky has taken on a strange hue,” “It looks hellish,” and “It feels like we’re on Mars rather than Earth.”

New York City also issued an air quality advisory as air quality there worsened to become the fifth worst in the world, urging residents to refrain from outdoor activities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.