Starting this week, New York was suddenly engulfed by an orange haze, with a strong burning smell in the air.
New Yorkers are exclaiming, What is going on?!
Overnight, New York City’s Air Quality Ranks Worst in the World
WeChat Moments and Xiaohongshu are flooded with photos of a 'yellow' Manhattan taken by New York international students from various angles.
Manhattan's skyscrapers against the orange-yellow sky give off a strong apocalyptic vibe.
A New York international student said, 'I thought it was the end of the world when I stepped outside; I wouldn't be surprised if a zombie came running out from the street corner...'
'Coughing and tearing up, even with the windows closed, there's a smell of burning wood inside.'
"Experiencing Blade Runner 2049 in New York in 2023"
The Empire State Building in the haze looks like a mirage.
The Statue of Liberty shrouded in thick smoke also appears particularly lonely.
Live footage of New York from EarthCam. Look at this orange—orange like fire, orange like sunset clouds.
New Jersey didn't escape either; from New Jersey's perspective, New York—can't see anything.
Opening the weather forecast, the air quality is 'very unhealthy.' The Air Quality Index skyrocketed from 100 straight to 266...
Canadian Wildfires Are the Culprit
The direct culprit behind the situation in New York, New Jersey, and other eastern U.S. areas is the Canadian wildfires.
Recently, severe forest fires have broken out in multiple Canadian provinces, with Quebec being the hardest hit, and Nova Scotia and Alberta also declaring states of emergency.
Western Canadian provinces often experience wildfires due to climate conditions, but this year, lightning-caused wildfires have rapidly spread in eastern Canada. As of now, the total area burned has exceeded 8 million acres, and over 120,000 residents have been evacuated across various regions.
The U.S. has also urgently dispatched additional firefighters to Canada to assist.
Due to wind patterns, starting from June 6th, New York and the northeastern U.S. have been shrouded in haze, severely affecting air quality.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued health advisories for New York City, the Bronx, Queens, and other areas.
California Wildfires Rage in 2020
Students in California should be familiar with this scene.
Back in 2020, large-scale wildfires erupted in California, causing deep concern among international students. At that time, besides pandemic precautions, students living at the foot of the mountains had to be prepared for evacuation at any time.
The burning area in California reached 20,000 acres, and local fire departments urgently evacuated over 7,800 residents.
California's wildfires were also triggered by lightning. The California Department of Forestry reported that in a 72-hour period, the state was struck by approximately 10,846 lightning strikes...
Fueled by extreme dryness and persistent high temperatures on the West Coast, the wildfires fully erupted. The fires raged through the night, even reaching Los Angeles.
At that time, international students across California posted to reassure others about their safety.
After seeing this, who wouldn't say that international students really have a tough time!
How to Effectively Cope While Studying Abroad
Although the fires won't reach New York, don't underestimate the health impact of the haze. As of the afternoon of June 7, New York's PM2.5 index had reached 373, with a noticeably irritating burning smell in the air.
Meteorological departments expect that there may be rain on Thursday or Friday, and the weather will improve over the weekend, but the haze will still linger.
It is recommended to avoid going outdoors unless necessary, especially for children, the elderly, and those with heart or lung conditions or bronchitis, who should stay indoors, keep doors and windows closed, and wait for the weather to improve before going outside.
Students or parents who need to go out should wear masks, preferably professional protective masks like N95.
International students in areas near the wildfires in Canada should also be prepared to evacuate at any time, planning evacuation plans and routes in advance. Students in other areas affected by the wildfires should also minimize outdoor activities and take all necessary precautions.
We hope the wildfires will subside soon, and wish all friends abroad stay healthy and safe!
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