Hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada have created a significant haze, impacting air quality in numerous U.S. states and shrouding major landmarks. On July 16, parts of western New York experienced "very unhealthy" air quality, while the New York City metropolitan area was under "unhealthy" conditions.
Residents in New York City, the most populous city in the U.S., were observed wearing masks to mitigate the effects of the smoke. The dense haze obscured visibility across the region, affecting views of iconic sites like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a venue slated to host the World Cup final, was also enveloped in the smoky conditions.
More than 800 wildfires have been reported across Canada, contributing to the widespread air quality advisories that have extended south into the U.S.