Across the Pond Wildfires

Across the pond in Canada there are numerous wildfires raging.

These wildfires across the pond have charred more than 9 million acres this year in Canada alone. That’s 15 times the normal burned areas for this point in a year.

Most of the east coast across the pond in the states have been affected with poor air quality due to these raging wildfires.

The smoke can be seen as a yellowish haze over New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington D.C., as well as in Boston.

Our thoughts and well wishes to all the fire-fighters and first responders who are battling these blazes and the people whose lives are adversely affected.

My youngest son lives across the pond in Queens, Astoria, New York. Today, he is wearing a mask in order to filter out the noxious smoke. He works with young children, and all outside activities have been suspend for the past few days. He sent me these pictures today on his walk into work:

Hazy 48th St New York (©amschotel)

Hazy Queens, Astoria, New York (©amschotel)

A healthy Air Quality Index (AQI) should be in the range of 0 – 50. “Moderate” AQI is 51 – 100. The AQI in New York today was 145!

My oldest son lives ins the western part of Massachusetts. He sent me this picture taken at 8 A.M.:

Hazy Western Massachusetts U.S. (©amschotel)

I didn’t edit or add any filters to any of these photos. The sepia tone is truly the color of the air.

Thankfully, New York should see some relief by end of today. However, the wildfires will continue to rage across the pond in Canada, destroying wildlife, forests, and natural habitats. Canada to us in the northeast is our neighbor. I have friends and coworkers who live there. A very close friend of mine is originally from Canada and a lot of her immediate family still live there. These wildfires are affecting them all and my heart goes to them across the pond.

To all firefighters and first responders, stay safe and we thank you. To all others affected by the residual smoke and smog, please take care of yourselves, your family, friends and neighbors. The elderly, young children and people with breathing medical conditions are all in danger from breathing this poor air quality. Please remember to check on each other.