Hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada have caused dangerous air quality levels throughout Canada and large parts of the United States. Air quality has plummeted to hazardous levels in parts of North America, as officials and health experts urge residents to avoid the outdoors.
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TRANSCRIPT
Encased in flames, a Canadian train crew in Ontario watched on as the trees around them collapsed.
The footage, posted on social media, providing only a small glimpse from one of over 800 wildfires burning through Canada.
While the train crew has been confirmed safe, over 100 of the fires are still burning out of control.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says this is a difficult time for the country.
“Thousands of Canadians lives have been upended or being upended by the wildfires across this country. Flooding in Manitoba again. And on behalf of all Canadians, everyone in this room, all Canadians across this country, I want to thank the courageous firefighters. The first responders, the indigenous and local leaders who are working tirelessly to keep our people safe.]]
Heavy smoke from the wildfires has swept across Canada and large parts of the United States, prompting officials to urge people to stay indoors and avoid the toxic air.
With a thick layer blanketing Toronto, resident Mat Neir says you can almost taste it.
“I think we've actually just seen it perhaps, really increase overnight. So, like, you can't see any of the city anymore. You can almost taste the smoke today. I think yesterday it was much milder. So we're definitely seeing it, get worse. I do hope that it passes, though, quickly. “
Multiple US cities are facing hazardous air quality levels, with skylines barely visible through the smog.
In Toledo, Ohio, the Air Quality Index is rated 805, over two and half times the level considered hazardous.
Dr Vin Gupta from the American Lung Association says even young, healthy people are going to be impacted by this.
“Every single summer, in my opinion, feels like it's worse than the prior summer. Ten, 15 years ago, we didn't use to have these conversations. Now we're having them multiple times in a year, well into the fall. And that worries me, number one, that there's just much more exposure over a greater part of the year than typically even ten years ago. And that too, we're seeing a compounding effect where multiple risk factors are compounding onto each other to really be deleterious to human health.”
Wildfire smoke is more toxic than normal air pollution and studies have linked it with higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, pregnancy complications and weaker immune systems.
Dr Gupta says if people have to go outside, they should be wearing a mask.
“I highly recommend that everybody invest in a supply, and hopefully your employer can provide this of N95 masks, which are not perfect. We know these masks, of course, from the pandemic, but they can be helpful in filtering out many elements of bad air. Again, not perfect when it comes to outdoor smoke, but it's better than nothing.”
In New York, where the air quality is rated as 'very unhealthy', Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pleaded with New Yorkers to prioritise their health
“So today, every New Yorker should take precautions. Limit your time outdoors, especially strenuous activity. We have made free KN95 masks available at hundreds of locations citywide, including libraries, police precincts, and a number of firehouses. And do try and check on your neighbors through their all. We will keep you updated through the day. These are conditions that we know are also coming at the same time as a heat emergency for New Yorkers. So it is very important to stay up to date, to stay prepared, and to respond with your safety as the most important thing, because that is what it is for city government as well.”
The World Cup final is set to take place in New Jersey on Sunday in front of more than 80,000 fans.
While it is predicted that a change in wind direction will see the worst of the smoke gone, Dr Gupta says he hopes FIFA has a plan
“I'm sure FIFA is looking at this. I would hope that they would take seriously a contingency if air quality is in the severe range, which it may very well be. Coupled with heat, that is a very powerful and dangerous one-two punch to the human body. Unrelenting heat and humidity, coupled with poor air quality, can impact those that are 80 (years old), of course, but it can also impact a very fit 20-year-old that's a World Cup athlete. It can impact both spectrums of the age range, and it's important to take that seriously.”
Coinciding with deadly heatwaves and wildfires in Europe, climate experts say rising global temperatures are driving an increase in both the frequency and the intensity of wildfires around the world.
Out celebrating his 68th birthday, Chicago local Raul Villanova says the US government is trying to ignore what's happening.
“You have to take care of yourself, even if you're not at high risk. Don't tell Trump, because he doesn't believe in, what's the name of that? Climate (change)? Yeah, don't tell him, because to him, this is all wonderful. I'm just saying, he's our president.”
With a strengthening El Nino weather system on the way, meteorologists warn 2027 could be the hottest year on record.
In Toronto, resident Kim Difranza says it will only get worse.
“Collectively as a civilization, I think we have to do more, show more in terms of protecting the environment. So this, you know, this is going to happen, but it's happening too often. Every summer, it seems there' a time in July and August where we're being impacted environmentally by the smoke and these fires.”
