Smoke from wildfires rapidly burning in eastern Canada is pouring into the northeastern U.S., including New York State, causing widespread effects, including the cancellation of outdoor activities at schools and the suspension of some aircraft operations.
The U.S. National Weather Service has issued an air quality warning for nearly the entire Atlantic coast. From Vermont to South Carolina, and west to Ohio and Kansas, health officials warned that outdoor activities could cause health problems due to the amount of particulate matter in the air.
Even New York City's famous skyline appeared hazy with smoke, and some residents complained of feeling sick.
According to AccuWeather, a private weather forecasting service, thick smoke is spreading from the ground to the sky, the worst level of wildfire smoke to cover the northeastern United States in more than 20 years.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended some flights to and from New York at LaGuardia International Airport in New York State and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey due to reduced visibility caused by the smoke.
White House Press Secretary Jean-Pierre noted that the Canadian wildfires, which are polluting the air across North America, are an "alarming example" of a climate crisis affecting the entire world. President Biden has been briefed on the wildfires and has offered U.S. assistance, he said.