THICK HAZE BLANKETS NORTHEASTERN US, WASHINGTON RESIDENTS URGED TO WEAR MASKS

WASHINGTON, JULY 17 /SRNA/ - The skies over numerous cities in the northeastern United States have been shrouded in a thick grey haze caused by wildfires in Canada, significantly reducing visibility, and authorities in Washington have urged residents to wear masks outdoors.

Chicago, Detroit, Washington, and New York were the most polluted cities in the world today.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city is currently under a purple air quality alert, indicating very unhealthy air quality.

"We advise vulnerable groups to stay indoors as much as possible, while everyone else should limit the amount of time they spend outside and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

If you must go outside, wear a mask," Bowser wrote on X.

She added that outdoor events organised by the District of Columbia government had been cancelled because of poor air quality.

From Arlington, Virginia, which offers a clear view of Washington, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument were barely visible today.

A similar situation was reported in New York, Boston and Chicago. Residents said they could smell smoke in the air, while city authorities issued warnings advising people to avoid outdoor activities because smoke particles pose a health risk.

According to data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there are 898 active wildfires in the country. Air quality has also deteriorated in Toronto, Canada's most populous city.

Since the beginning of 2026, more than 3,600 wildfires have occurred in Canada, while the area burned has reached 2.8 million hectares.