Travellers heading to the USA have been warned of ‘poor air quality’ and disruption to flights as smoke from Canadian wildfires spreads across the East Coast of the country. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (the FCDO) has updated its travel advice for the country.
The FCDO advises travellers to check the air quality of their location, which you can at the website AirNow.gov. It says holidaymakers should follow the guidance of local authorities while in the USA.
Issuing an update for the USA, the Foreign Office said: “Smoke from wildfires in Canada is currently causing poor air quality across parts of the East Coast of the USA. You should check AirNow.gov for updates on the current air quality in your location and follow the advice given by the US authorities, including wearing a face mask to protect yourself.
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“Air travel may also be disrupted. You should check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling.” On Thursday the Federal Aviation Authority warned that travellers could face delays as the smoke continued to impact air travel.
The thick haze of smoke has billowed down from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia, reaching as far away as North Carolina and even northern Europe. Cities including New York have seen skies turn orange and daily life disrupted as people are advised to limit time outside.
The weather system that is driving the great Canadian-American smokeout – a low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia – “will probably be hanging around at least for the next few days”, US National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said.
“Conditions are likely to remain unhealthy, at least until the wind direction changes or the fires get put out,” Mr Ramsey said. “Since the fires are raging – they’re really large – they’re probably going to continue for weeks. But it’s really just going to be all about the wind shift.”
More than 400 blazes burning across Canada have left 20,000 people displaced. The US has sent more than 600 firefighters and equipment to Canada and other countries are also helping.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to President Joe Biden by phone on Wednesday. Mr Trudeau’s office said he thanked Mr Biden for his support and that both leaders “acknowledged the need to work together to address the devastating impacts of climate change”. Canadian officials say this is shaping up to be the country’s worst wildfire season ever.
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