Canada wildfires are turning North Jersey skies orange. Here's our complete coverage
Intense wildfires in northern Canada, sparked by lightning strikes, has sent a heavy stream of thick smoke down into North Jersey this week, turning the sky a Mars-like orange hue and filling people's nostrils with a bitter, acrid odor.
The smoke has sent the regions bad air index skyrocketing above levels normally experienced by cities that have traditionally endured the worst air quality, including New Delhi, Beijing and Lahore, Pakistan.
The smoke grew so thick Wednesday afternoon that it obliterated the striking views of the Empire State Building that North Jerseyans along the Hudson normally enjoy. Some schools closed early and coaches moved sports practices inside. Thursday started off with more smoky skies, and the weather conditions sending the smoke our way are not likely to change until Saturday.
Here in one place you can find all our coverage of the worst wildfire smoke the region has experienced in two decades and how to deal with it.
Lessening smoke leads to improved air quality in NJ Friday; still unhealthy for some groups
In a week when New Jersey has experienced historically bad smoke and air quality conditions, the forecast for Friday and the weekend shows marked improvement, although sensitive groups are still at risk.
Blacks in NJ more likely hit with health issues from Canada wildfire smoke. Here's why
While many North Jersey residents have been inconvenienced by the Mars-like orange haze caused by migrating smoke from Canadian wildfires this week, minority and low-income residents in urban centers such as Paterson are more likely to suffer health impacts from inhaling the smoke for days. That's because more Blacks suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma and COPD that can be exacerbated by poor air quality.
What was the weirdest part of this week's wildfire smoke? Our helplessness | Mike Kelly
We’re used to disasters. Not this one, though. This time, the sky took on a burnt orange hue. The air smelled like fire — as if a giant pile of wood had gone up in smoke. More than 100 million of us suddenly questioned whether it was unhealthy to engage in that most basic and instinctual of human functions — breathing. Such was the air quality crisis that swept into our lives this week. We did not expect this kind of calamity. Not now.
Smoke in NJ got you spooked? Here's something to cheer you up
At a time when we're all crisis-weary, ground down by nearly a decade of non-stop emergencies, this one seems especially weird. Watching your surroundings grow amber-hued, some part of you might be wondering whether the sun will ever come out again. Well, this thing — like most things — has happened before. On the afternoon of May 19, 1780, much of northeastern America went dark. So dark that, by 1 p.m., people couldn't see a paper a few inches in front of their nose.
NJ smoke conditions Thursday remain 'very unhealthy' in day 3 of haze from Canadian wildfires
New Jersey began Thursday the same way it ended Wednesday with some of the worst air quality ever seen in the Garden State. As of 6 a.m. smoke continued to envelop the state at much greater levels than what was forecasted 24 hours ago. Almost all of New Jersey was under a purple alert, the second highest level that marks very unhealthy conditions for the general public.
North Jersey schools announce early dismissals for Thursday due to poor air quality
As the smoky haze from the Canadian wildfires continues to hang over over New Jersey, most schools have had to make some type of adjustments. Many schools are limiting outdoor activities, canceling field trips and halting afterschool activities. At risk students have been encouraged to wear masks. Some schools are altering their daily learning schedules.
Doctors warn people with disabilities in NJ to avoid smoke-filled air
As doctors warn of the dangers found in the yellow haze outside North Jersey windows experts say people with disabilities are facing increased risks. “When you've got a disability, you have to consider exposures to pollutants. It takes you longer to get from one place to the other place. So I think that is definitely impactful,” said Khalil Savary, a pediatric pulmonologist at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Here's how you can keep your pets safe from the smoke covering North Jersey
Just as humans can experience irritation and health problems from this smoke, pets are vulnerable to breathing in toxic fumes that could lead to serious illnesses. There are steps pet parents can take to keep their furry companions safe.
Paterson sees spike in EMS calls, deploys extra ambulances as smoke engulfs North Jersey
Air quality problems resulted in a 30% spike in calls for emergency medical services in Paterson on Wednesday, prompting the city to deploy extra ambulances, officials said. Paterson also is distributing N95 masks to residents at nine different locations in the city, officials said.
New Jersey air quality map: Stay informed on smoke conditions with NJ wildfire map
Check out these maps to see air quality in your area, as well as the drift of smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Broadway shows 'Hamilton,' 'Camelot' cancel performances due to air quality in New York
Sometimes the show doesn't go on. Performances of Broadway's "Hamilton" and Lincoln Center Theater's "Camelot" were canceled Wednesday evening due to the smoky conditions that have blanketed the region from Canadian wildfires.
NJ getting more high levels of unhealthy air Wednesday from heavy Canada wildfire smoke
New Jersey is experiencing another round Wednesday of some of the worst air pollution in recent memory due to smoke from dozens of large forest fires that have broken out in Canada, sending heavy smoke straight into the northern U.S. Northeast New Jersey hit a rare purple alert at 1 p.m. for very unhealthy air quality with an index reading of 205 in Newark as a plume of smoke enveloped the region.
Gallery: See photos from throughout North Jersey showing impact of the wildfire smoke
Take a look at images from our reporters and visual journalists from throughout North Jersey showing the impact of the wildfire smoke.
How long is the smoke from Canada wildfires going to last in NJ? See the forecast
The smoke that has inundated the region and caused New Jersey's air quality to plunge over the last 36 hours is not likely to disappear anytime soon. A low-pressure system causing southerly winds to push the smoke from forest fires in Quebec down to the Garden State and much of the Northeast is not forecast to move until Saturday.
Live updates and what you need to know as smoke continues to cloud New Jersey Wednesday
A cloud of smoke descended over the tri-state area Wednesday afternoon, due to the large wildfire in Quebec. Nearly all of New Jersey is under red alert, with some parts of New Jersey already seeing an AQI over 170 Wednesday morning, which is considered unhealthy.
NJ schools closing early, limiting outdoor time due to unhealthy air quality from smoke
Some New Jersey school districts are canceling after-school and outdoor activities, while others are closing early in response to the unhealthy air conditions caused by smoke from the Quebec wildfire.
Will the Yankees play today? MLB has decision to make as smoky haze covers the Bronx
Inside Yankee Stadium, a thick hazy fog - more smoky and intense than Tuesday night - hung over the playing surface Wednesday afternoon. But as of 2:30 p.m., the New York Yankees' scheduled 7:05 p.m. game against the Chicago White Sox was set to be played.
How the Air Quality Index can keep you safe from wildfire smoke entering New Jersey
The air quality has some Northeasterners wondering, for the first time, what is the AQI, or Air Quality Index?
NJ air quality is dangerously poor right now. How to protect yourself from harmful smoke
Medical professionals are urging residents to take precautions to protect their health as New Jersey experiences the worst air pollution in recent memory, following dozens of forest fires in Canada that sent heavy smoke to the region.
These symptoms indicate poor air quality in your area. How it can affect your health
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Twitter, members of the general public could experience health effects, but those with heart and lung disease, and the elderly and young could be especially at risk.
HS sports teams prepare for state championship games as smoke engulfs North Jersey
For the local high school baseball teams preparing to play in this weekend’s NJSIAA finals, the orange skies over North Jersey caused by canadian wildfires was a sign to proceed with caution. “We’re moving practice inside,” Don Bosco coach Mike Rooney said.
North Jersey, NYC air quality hits rare red alert Tuesday as Canada wildfire smoke takes toll
Air quality in the New York City metropolitan region — including parts of North Jersey — was under a rare red alert Tuesday evening as smoke inundated the area from the latest set of wildfires burning hundreds of miles to the north in Canada. The region's air quality index was at 180 as of 7 p.m. Tuesday, meaning it was unhealthy for the general public due to a high concentration of tiny burnt particles in the air.
Gallery: Smoke clouds over Yankee Stadium from Canada wildfires
Yankee fans watched the game against the White Sox as a thick haze from the Canadian wildfires hover over The Bronx on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
NJ forest firefighter's advice on coping with smoke from Canada wildfires
Though North Jersey residents are facing several days dealing with unhealthy air because of smoke flowing down from Canadian wildfires, Christopher Franek deals with such conditions routinely. Franek, an assistant division fire warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, said New Jersey firefighters deal with intense smoke all the time.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Canada wildfires smoke: Our coverage of NJ air quality concerns