Philadelphia becomes new epicenter for ‘toxic smog’ from wildfires in Canada as air quality index nears maximum possible – while Biden FINALLY pledges help
- Air quality in the city of Philadelphia has now been classified as “hazardous” after smoke from Canadian wildfires swept across the Northeast
- The city’s advice is to urge people to stay indoors and wear a mask when going outside
- Latest smoke map for Canada: Which areas are most polluted by wildfires?
Philadelphia has now become the epicenter of toxic smog from Canadian wildfires after the city’s air quality reached “dangerous” levels.
An air quality index recorded last night read 431, with 500 being the highest and worst, as the city continues to be blanketed in wildfire smoke.
The index is a measure of five common pollutants on a scale of 0 to 500, with a rating above 150 being considered unhealthy.
Due to the toxic air outside, Air Now is advising people to stay home and limit their activity.
While New York City recorded the worst air quality in the world on Wednesday afternoon, Philadelphia took the top spot last night.
People living in the city are now being urged to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activities
The smoke cast a haze over the Philadelphia skyline, seen here from New Jersey
A view of smoke covering the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Wednesday
Philadelphia Public Health announced they went to Code Red about the smoke because of the unhealthy air
On Wednesday morning, Philadelphia Public Health announced they went to Code Red about the smoke because of the unhealthy air.
City council is urging people to wear a quality mask when outdoors, avoid any form of strenuous activity, and keep homes ventilated with fans and air conditioners.
After a wind change, the smog is now expected to move towards the south-west, but is likely to continue for the next few days.
Wednesday night’s baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers was canceled due to air quality.
Images captured by the city show that thick white smog lay over the city and some of the notable landmarks were shrouded in smoke.
On Wednesday night, Joe Biden directed his administration to use “all available federal fire suppression equipment” to help fight the blazes.
The White House said Biden made the order after speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the developing wildfire situation.
The readout for the call said, “The President has directed his team to use all available federal fire suppression resources that can quickly help fight fires in Canadian and American communities.”
Philadelphia CBS meteorologist Andrew Kozak shared a video of himself urging residents to stay indoors on Twitter Wednesday night.
He said, “As if it couldn’t get any crazier today, Philadelphia has officially entered the hazardous air quality category.”
“It means staying indoors and avoiding outdoors at all costs.” Even the healthiest of people are affected by the smoke.
“Keep the air conditioning on or at least the fan running and if you have to go outside make sure to wear the mask.”
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge in the city is barely visible in this image due to the thick smog
The baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers was canceled due to air quality.
Smoke from the fires in various parts of Canada has been drifting towards the US since last month, but has intensified with a recent spate of fires in Quebec that have left hundreds ablaze and are thought to be out of control.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center database shows around 430 fires burned in nine provinces and two territories. More than half were considered out of control.
According to the National Weather Service, air quality warnings have been rolled out in states such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, Illinois, Virginia and the Carolinas in addition to the state of Pennsylvania.
Health experts warn that inhaling the mist can be as harmful as smoking 22 cigarettes a day.
Nanoparticles from the smog are so small that they can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Side effects also include eye and throat irritation and breathing problems.