The smoke particles stay in the air until they get washed out by rain or clouds. It travels on winds from west to east for several weeks to months. Smoke from the North American fire season has travelled to Europe’s skies almost every summer for the past 10 years. Hot air over a forest fire causes the smoke to rise by 2.7km, and when it absorbs sunlight, it can ascend to 10-12km height, Dr Ansmann explains. He and his colleagues can detect the particles with laser instruments pointed upwards that measure smoke-reflected light. It’s come as a surprise to many that New York and nearby US cities are so badly affected by Canada’s fires.īut the smoke is also reaching Europe, says Albert Ansmann at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research. Millions advised to mask up due to intense smoke Today's page was brought to you by Juan Benn, Chelsea Bailey, Madeline Halpert, Mike Wendling, Max Matza and Jude Sheerin and was edited by Nathan Williams, Brandon Livesay and Marianna Brady. Parks and playgrounds are closed in Washington DC and residents across the northeast have been warned to remain indoors due to unhealthy air conditions

The smoke has caused flight delays and travel disruptions across eastern North America Residents in other cities, like Philadelphia, Washington DC and even Chicago and Boston, are being told to remain inside as the foul weather continues into the weekendĬanadian firefighters are continuing to battle blazes in eastern Canada, and have received help from the US and other countries including France, Spain, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa

New York City is still dealing with some of the worst air quality the city has recorded in recent history, but it has improved since Wednesday As we close our live coverage today, the US northeast continues to wither under oppressive smoke.

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