NEW YORK (AP) — The Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic states faced another day of unhealthy air due to ongoing wildfires on Friday.
Thick smoke cast a dark, eerie haze over the nation’s capital. This atmospheric condition prompted the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball to delay their match against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Ohio.
Warnings about hazardous conditions were expected to persist through Saturday across large parts of the U.S. However, some improvement might occur with storms predicted in certain areas over the weekend.
Stewart Verdery, a resident of Washington, D.C., was met with a darkened skyline instead of his usual view of the city’s landmarks from a rooftop on Friday morning.
“It’s unusual to wake up at sunrise and not see the sun when it’s not even raining,” he commented by phone after sharing a video of the unusual scene on X. “And it smells like the world’s largest cookout is happening.”
Kevin Carter via Getty Images
No end in sight for smoky conditions
While there might be occasional breaks, such as over the weekend, the smoke is expected to linger as the fires remain largely uncontrolled, noted Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster at the National Weather Service in Maryland.
Wildfires are active in Ontario, Canada, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, leading U.S. officials to close the area as they work to extinguish the fires.
“The smoke source is likely to persist for at least a week,” Oravec explained. “Its impact will vary based on wind direction.”
On Friday, locations in Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan, particularly Detroit, recorded some of the poorest air quality worldwide, according to IQAir, an air quality monitoring service.
Washington, D.C., was not far behind, with smoke creating eerie scenarios. Iconic landmarks such as the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial were shrouded in an orange haze for much of the day.
Residents, especially those with heart or lung conditions, older adults, and children, were advised to minimize outdoor activities until air quality improved.
Prolonged exposure to smoky conditions can exacerbate existing health issues and lead to severe and fatal outcomes, like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and premature death, officials warned.
Maria Travela, experiencing her first day outside since smoke enveloped Chicago early Thursday, expressed relief.
“It’s better now. This morning was rough,” said Travela, who has asthma and wore a mask while crossing a bridge over the Chicago River. “They warned people like me with asthma that it could harm our lungs.”
Trump criticizes Canada
Canada is battling hundreds of wildfires, with around 190 in northern Ontario, as noted by Premier Doug Ford during a news briefing. The Namaygoosisagagun First Nation community was destroyed by flames, and 10 northern Ontario communities have been evacuated or are in the process of evacuation, with more possible.
The increase in fires across Canada’s extensive forests is largely attributed to climate change.
In response to the smoke, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media on Friday, criticizing Canada’s forest management and threatening additional tariffs on the country.
The Canadian government did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding Trump’s remarks.
When asked about a Michigan lawmaker’s comments on the smoke, Ford highlighted Canada’s past assistance to the U.S. in fighting fires.
“If there are politicians just complaining, perhaps they should send support and help rather than complain, as we have helped our American friends before, and that’s what should be done,” Ford stated.
Conditions should improve for Sunday’s World Cup final
In the New York City area, there was concern regarding how the smoky air might affect Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Oravec indicated that the wildfire smoke would continue to drift eastward in the U.S., but conditions are expected to be better on game day than on Saturday.
On Thursday, a thick haze, tinged with orange and yellow, obscured the skies over several states and partly obscured Manhattan’s skyline.
Authorities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other Northeast states distributed free K95 face masks, canceled outdoor events, and opened libraries and public buildings as cooling centers to provide relief from the smoky air.
As Friday progressed, air quality improved from “unhealthy” to “moderate” in some areas around New York City. A strong sun broke through the smoke, and much of the region saw clear blue skies by Friday afternoon.
Rainstorms could bring reprieve in some places
Saturday is forecasted to bring a high likelihood of thunderstorms across much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, potentially reducing the poor air quality.
Organizers of the All-American Soap Box Derby in Ohio are hopeful that air quality will improve enough for Saturday’s championship races. The annual competition in Akron canceled Friday’s events due to air quality concerns.
“I believe they made the right decision,” said Dayna Lincoln, a pediatric nurse practitioner from Hodgdon, Maine, whose family drove 15 hours for their 9-year-old daughter’s race on Saturday.
“I’m relieved they’re not pushing the kids into it,” she said. “There are children with asthma and adults with respiratory conditions who could really suffer.”
Associated Press reporters Jim Morris in Vancouver, British Columbia, John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, and Cybele Mayes-Osterman in Chicago contributed to this story.
