Country-Wide Effects

  For weeks, forest fires have been burning in Canada, and America’s Northeast and Midwest regions are facing the repercussions. The smoke from the fires has drifted into the United States, leaving skies littered with a gray haze and the smell of a campfire. 

  Canada has been experiencing an intense month of wildfires already, with over 3 million hectares on fire in just this first week of June (about the amount of the 2021 wildfire season in total). Climate change is a large contributor to the increase of fires, since it intensives natural disasters. The rising temperatures mixed with drier conditions are perfect grounds for fires. This past Sunday over 26,000 people were told to evacuate their homes in British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and other areas. 

  As a result, the air quality in Canada, usually ranked one of the cleanest in the world, has been significantly impacted. In Ottawa, the quality has hit 10+ on their Air Quality Health Index, 10 meaning the most polluted air and outdoor activity is dangerous. 

  Midwest and Northeast areas in America too are dealing with this poor air quality. On Wednesday, June 7th, New York City residents were advised to limit their time outdoors. Photos taken in the city show residents wearing masks outside, which many are doing to limit their smoke inhalation. Much to young kids’ disappointment, outdoor recess has been put on hold in my regions affected by the smoke. 

 Inhaling such intense smoke can have detrimental health effects. Respiratory problems can occur and previous medical conditions (asthma, heart disease, etc.) can worsen. 

Effects at home

  As this article is being written, a field trip to Six Flags Amusement Park for East students set for this Wednesday was canceled (during the bus ride there) due to the smoke. So far, there has been no word on whether or not outdoor school sports will continue this week. As of right now (Wednesday, June 7th) the sky in the Voorhees, Gibbsboro and Berlin area does not seem to be filled with smoke. However, much could change in only a few hours. Currently on the weather app, Voorhees’ air quality is placed 183- Unhealthy.