Hazardous Air

Smoke from Canada’s wildfires visits our area and sets records for poor air quality

Kingsland Avenue and Maspeth Avenue at 2:30 p.m. on June 7. The air cast an old-timey sepia glow, and at 2 p.m. airnow.gov showed the air quality had tipped into the Hazardous zone 324 AQI but hit over 400 later in the day.

The smoke wave from Canada hit our area on Tuesday, June 6, and cautions went out advising those with health conditions to stay indoors and close windows. On Wednesday the Air Quality Index tipped into Hazardous territory (according to AirNow.gov), eyes spied an orange-yellow tone outside and felt a bit itchy; noses took in the scent of dusty charcoal. Some compared it to life on Mars.

Outdoor activities at schools had been halted by Mayor Adams late Tuesday evening for Wednesday. On Wednesday some outdoor events began cancelling, some businesses sent workers home, libraries closed early. Health experts advised wearing N95 or KN95 masks when outside.

left image: 06.07.23 sunset at 6:48 p.m. — right image: 06.07.23 sunset at 7:12 p.m.

Sunset on Wednesday was a sight to behold — only safely through a camera. At a quarter to 7 p.m. the sun was outlined by a fluorescent orange ring, then a half hour later the sun became a dark hot pink circle in the sky.

Thursday’s AQI numbers were lower, but still in the Unhealthy range.

Friday’s air reached Moderate, but there are reports more smoke is headed our way on Sunday.

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Author: Lori Ann Doyon

Managing editor, head writer, and lead photographer of Greenline | North Brooklyn News since October 2014. Resident of Williamsburg, Brooklyn since 1990.

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