NEW YORK — Smoky haze from Canadian wildfires continues to blanket the northeastern U.S., blotting out the New York City skyline and irritating people’s throats.
Mayor Eric Adams is scheduled to hold a briefing on the city’s response at 10 a.m. Watch live on CBS2 and CBS News New York.
Meanwhile, all public schools have been advised to cancel outdoor activities, though classes will continue.
Schools will be open today.
We urge everyone to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
All NYC Public Schools will be canceling all outdoor activities today.— NYC Public Schools (@NYCSchools) June 7, 2023
Air quality alerts have been issued for our area, stemming from more than 400 wildfires currently burning in Canada and the air that’s making its way toward us.
Video from Tuesday’s Yankee game in the Bronx showed just how obvious the smoke was as it passed through.
Tourists in other parts of the city had a hard time seeing the sites, and some residents with ailments like asthma are reporting difficulty breathing.
CBS2
Officials say the smoky haze could linger for another day or so.
Adams and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka say both cities are following guidance from health agencies, and public schools will cancel outdoor activities.
Health officials urge children and adults who exercise to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
Doctors warn there could be short term health effects, including shortness of breath or pressure in the lungs.
“The small particulate matter, some of the trapped gases, can be irritating to the lung, they can potentially be injurious. In the short term, they can cause bronchial spasms,” said Dr. Michael Niederman, a pulmonologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical.
Doctors say the general public should be fine, but remain alert and keep windows closed.
