Air quality in North America has plummeted due to the spread of smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires. The hazardous conditions are affecting tens of millions of people across the US and Canada, with outdoor activities being cancelled and vulnerable residents being kept indoors.
According to reports, air quality alerts have been issued across more than 20 US states, with about 109 million Americans experiencing unhealthy air this week. In Canada, the smoke has become an increasingly familiar part of summer, with forecasters warning that conditions may persist in the coming days.
Residents in the US and Canada are reporting hazardous air conditions, with many describing the smell as noxious and the air tasting toxic. Some have been forced to cancel outdoor activities and keep windows closed to prevent smoke from entering their homes.
The deteriorating conditions have also hit workers whose jobs cannot simply move indoors. Self-employed carpenter Ted Brearley in Hamilton, Ontario, has reported a huge loss in production due to the smoke, while in Chicago, resident Vlad has been keeping his son indoors due to his asthma.
As the smoke spreads, communities are altering daily routines to limit outdoor exposure, with some moving outdoor activities indoors and others wearing masks to protect themselves from the hazardous air.