Human Interest Human Interest News Weather Wildfires in Central Canada Create Air Quality Alert in Eastern U.S. — Full Recap By Erica Gerald Mason Erica Gerald Mason Erica Gerald Mason is a programming editor at PEOPLE, where she serves as the PEOPLE.com homepage and branded newsletters editor. Before joining PEOPLE, Erica's work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, Scary Mommy, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, Bustle, Romper, and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 7, 2023 06:02PM EDT Photo: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Smoke from Canadian wildfires have created air quality alerts in the United States. The scope of the low air quality has made the skies from New York City all the way to South Carolina turn brown with haze. Public health officials have advised people to wear face masks if they need to go outside. Canada is experiencing some devastating wildfires, a shocking amount that's atypical from years past. Based on official data, Reuters reported more than 3.3 million hectares (8.2 million acres) burned so far this year. According to officials, Canada is currently "on course for its worst-ever wildfire season on record." United States’ northern neighbor is known for some of the world’s densest forests, so wildfires aren't anything new to the area since they've historically happened annually. But this year, the blaze is more intense than ever before, spreading wide and burning at an increased rate. Public health alerts have issued public health alerts in states ranging from New York to Minnesota, urging residents to stay indoors and wear masks to avoid inhaling potentially toxic fine particles in the air. New York City experienced the highest pollution level in the world on June 6.The city's air quality index was labeled "very unhealthy" at over 200 per IQair, as CNN noted — the worst air quality of any major metropolitan city at 10 p.m. ET. The next morning, the Big Apple had slipped into third after Delhi, India topped the list, with Detroit coming in second. Keep reading: All About the 2023 Central Canada Wildfires Affecting Parts of the United States Canadian Wildfires More than 90 million Americans are affected by poor air qualityPublic health officials urge vulnerable residents to remain indoorsSmoke and haze are expected to last through Friday PEOPLE is providing live updates on the wildfires and its affect on air quality. Keep reading the live blog below. The liveblog has now ended. A View of the Washington Monument June 07, 2023 04:36 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post National Mall Park Services tweeted a photo of haze settled around the iconic structure. "I Can Taste The Air" June 07, 2023 04:25 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post In a Facebook post, Dr. Ken Strumpf of Syracuse, NY notes local conditions. "We are right in the path of the smoke from Canada," Strumpf writes. "I can taste the air." Strumpf later spoke with the Associated Press, remarking that the smoke made him 'a bit dizzy.' See the Facebook photo here Senator Ben Cardin Issues Caution for Fellow Marylanders June 07, 2023 03:44 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post The senator urged Maryland residents to limit their time outside. The Ohio EPA Issues Statewide Advisory June 07, 2023 03:29 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post The Environmental Protection Agency of Ohio announced the local Air Quality Index to be within the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “unhealthy” ranges, WHIO TV reports. A Live View of New York City June 07, 2023 03:17 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post Gary Hershorn/Getty Images Watch live video of the current air quality in New York City on EarthCam. A View of the George Washington Bridge in New York City June 07, 2023 03:08 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post The National Weather Service Posts Photo Of Binghamton, NY; Notes Similarities to Mars Atmosphere June 07, 2023 01:53 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post The National Weather Service tweeted a picture of an area effected by smoke and haze. In the caption, the organization noted the similarities between the current conditions and that of the atmosphere of Mars. How Does Poor Air Quality Affect Your Health? June 07, 2023 01:47 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The current air quality conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, nose and lungs, with an increased risk of respiratory infection. The elderly, young children and people with asthma are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality,, NBC News reports. Animal Sanctuary Posts Eerie Photo June 07, 2023 01:10 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary in Montgomery, NY posts a photo of a smoke-filled lane. Areas Under a Code Purple (Hazardous) Alert June 07, 2023 01:00 PM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post Syracuse, N.Y.Utica, N.Y.Albany, N.Y.Rochester, N.Y.Lancaster, PABinghamton, N.Y.Scranton, PABloomsburg, PAMontrose, PAPort Ewen, NY AirNow.gov has created a map of the air quality affected by the wildfires. The ratings range from 'Good' to 'Hazardous,' with Code Purple designated as 'Hazardous.' Source: AirNow.gov A List of States Under Code Red Alert June 07, 2023 11:58 AM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post AirNow.gov has created a map of the air quality affected by the wildfires. The ratings range from 'Good' to 'Hazardous,' with code Red designated as 'Unhealthy.' New YorkNew JerseyIndianaOhioVermontDelawareMassachusettsPennsylvaniaVirginiaKentuckyMichiganConnecticutMaryland Source: AirNow.gov Washington D.C. Under Code Red Alert June 07, 2023 11:47 AM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post The Washington D.C. Department of Energy and Environment reports that most monitoring stations in the area have reported Code Red air quality since Tuesday night. According to The Washington Post, Code Red is the fourth-worst of five categories defined by the U.S. Air Quality Index. The spectrum for Red begins at 150, while the worst category, Code Purple, begins at 200. The outlet reports that some sections of the district approached Code Purple, with some areas of Delaware and Pennsylvania already within the markers of the worst air quality. GMA's Ginger Zee Offers Insight June 07, 2023 11:40 AM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post "Some of the worst air quality in the world in the northeast/mid Atlantic thanks to Canadian wildfires & a stagnant atmospheric pattern," Zee posted on Twitter. New York City Mayor Eric Adams Issues Update June 07, 2023 11:31 AM EDT Copy The Link To This Blog Post "If you're a New Yorker with heart or breathing issues, be careful when you're outdoors," Adams cautions. "Smoke from wildfires in Canada is impacting our city's air, so an Air Quality Health Advisory has been issued. Try to limit outdoor activities today to the absolute necessities." Refresh for New Updates