New York City has been engulfed by a 'hazardous' smog causing breathing difficulties for many and an 'apocalyptic' orange hazy skyline.
The 'toxic' smog has caused an 'apocalyptic' style haze, with New Yorkers stating they have been "finding it hard to breathe" as the air quality reaches dangerous highs.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors as toxic particles blanket the city due to the record high air quality levels.
At at one point NYC's air quality reached more than 56 times over the World Health Organization's safety limit, making it the world's most polluted city on Wednesday.
Incredible before and after pictures show the Big Apple's skyline obscured by the 'Mars-like' smoke with the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Empire State Building and Chrysler Building shrouded in orange smog.
A “Code Red” air quality alert has been extended for the city and is in place for a third day as forecasts show smoky winds are continuing to push the 'hazardous' air south.
About 128 million people were under air quality alerts because of wildfire smoke and ozone in the US on Wednesday night.
The thick reddish smoke is flowing from wildfires in Canada and the air quality for many has reached 'hazardous levels.'
Federal officials paused some flights bound Wednesday for New York's LaGuardia Airport because the smoke was limiting visibility.
Mayor Eric Adams said conditions were expected to improve during Wednesday evening before air quality worsens again throughout Thursday afternoon.
Major League Baseball's Yankees had their game postponed and theatregoers also couldn't attend “Hamilton” and “Camelot” performances on Broadway.
Shakespeare in the Park at Central Park also cancelled its Thursday and Friday performances of “Hamlet,” saying ’tis not nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of wretched air'.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state was making a million N95 masks — the kind prevalent at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — available at state facilities, including 400,000 in New York City.
She also urged residents to stay put.
“You don’t need to go out and take a walk. You don’t need to push the baby in the stroller,” Ms Hochul said Wednesday night.
“This is not a safe time to do that.”
Officials said Wednesday, New York City has yet to see an uptick in 911 calls related to respiratory issues and cardiac arrests.
One Twitter user in New York City has described the air quality as "rough". Ejeris Dixon tweeted from their handle @ejeris, saying: "The air quality situation in NYC is rough today. I'm struggling to breathe with an air purifier and the windows shut.
"I'm sending love to the other asthmatics and folks with breathing related health issues. #ClimateCrisis is so real. Take care of each other."
Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan has warned: "Our guidance, as we said, is that all New Yorkers should limit their outdoor exposure, stay indoors if you can, unless it's necessary. If you do need to go out, or you choose to go out, wearing a mask is recommended."
Thousands of people have been evacuated as more than 150 fires rage in the Canadian province of Quebec, lowering air quality in the US, officials said.
Dozens of fires remain active in neighbouring Ontario, and other provinces, as high temperatures and dry conditions have contributed to an intense start to the wildfire season across Canada.
Philadelphia has now become the epicentre for the toxic smog, with the air quality index reading recorded last night hitting 431, with 500 being the highest and worst.
