PHILADELPHIA - Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside.The effects of hundreds of wildfires burning across the western provinces to Quebec could be felt as far away as New York City and New England, blotting out skylines and irritating throats.U.S.
authorities issued air quality alerts. Hazy conditions and smoke from the wildfires were reported across the Great Lakes region from Cleveland to Buffalo.In the Delaware Valley, a Code Orange has been issued, which means a concentration of thess air pollutants is unhealthy for sensitive groups.Visibility is currently around 3 to 5 miles for the entire region, and FOX 29's Sue Serio says an additional plume of thick smoke is forecasted to spread southward into our area this afternoon and evening.
A smoky haze that hung over New York City much of the day Tuesday thickened in the late afternoon, obscuring views of New Jersey across the Hudson River and making the setting sun look like a reddish orb.
In the Philadelphia area, dusk brought more of a lavender haze.Sal and Lilly Murphy, of Brooklyn, likened the burning scent to a campfire.