Wildfire smoke leaves 100 million under air quality alerts as nine Texas prison inmates die in heatwave
People living in the Midwest and Northeast were warned of a worsening air quality index throughout the week due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires
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Your support makes all the difference.The US is currently battling extreme weather events, with millions of people under air quality alerts across the Midwest and Northeast while southern states including Texas are battling dangerous heatwaves.
Smoke from more than 500 wildfires burning in Canada is blanketing large areas across the country and causing “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” air quality conditions for residents.
As of early Friday morning, more than 100 million people were under air quality alerts.
Toronto had the worst air quality in the world of all major cities, followed by Washington DC, according to IQAir.
Meanwhile, almost 60 million people were under heat alerts on Wednesday as “dangerous” temperatures continued to grip southern states and parts of Mexico.
The relentless, triple-digit heatwave – exacerbated by the climate crisis – entered its third week. The severe conditions have caused 13 deaths in Texas and led to a spike in emergency room attendance across the state.
At least nine inmates – including two men in their 30s – in Texas prisons have died of heart attacks or unknown causes since the start of the sweltering heatwave.
ER visits spike in Texas as 13 people die in US South
Nearly 60 million people were under heat alerts in the United States on Wednesday as “dangerous” temperatures continued to grip southern states and parts of Mexico.
The relentless, triple-digit heatwave – exacerbated by the climate crisis – has entered its third week. The severe conditions have caused 13 deaths in Texas and led to a spike in emergency room attendance across the state.
Louise Boyle reports.
ER visits spike in Texas as 13 people die from extreme heat
A ‘dangerous’ heat dome will remain across much of the US South until the Fourth of July holiday weekend
How long will the smoke last?
According to meteorologist Matthew Cappucci, much of the US will be facing intermittent smoke all summer long — probably until October.
With the fires not being combatted and unlikely to die down during the summer months, every northwest wind will bring smoke back to the eastern US.
In pictures: Smoke smothers Washington, DC
Dangerous heat persists into next week
The National Weather Service’s latest bulletin states:
Oppressive heat and humidity will continue across the Lower Mississippi Valley and Mid-South through Saturday with max heat indices exceeding 110 degrees. Sweltering temperatures into the upper 90s are expected to enter much of the Southeast on Sunday and linger through July 4th, with elevated heat indices also remaining across South Texas and the Gulf Coast.
How to keep pets safe amid unhealthy air quality alerts
Air quality has plummeted again this week across large parts of the United States and Canada due to more than 450 wildfires burning north of the border.
Experts estimate that each hour of exposure to wildfire smoke is equivalent to smoking cigarettes continuously for the same amount of time - but that’s just for humans.
Imagine how wildfire smoke affects our beloved pets? Poor air quality may pose an even greater risk to animals because of their smaller size.
Meredith Clark reports.
Canada wildfires: How to keep pets safe amid unhealthy air quality alerts
Poor air quality may pose an even greater risk to animals because of their smaller size
How does wildfire smoke affect your health?
Wildfires are increasing in frequency, size and severity globally due to hot and dry conditions being driven by the climate crisis. Fire seasons have become roughly 20 per cent longer around the world in the last 40 years, the World Health Organisation reports, and are expected to escalate as the global temperature rises.
Wildfire smoke can have serious health implications, particularly for vulnerable populations like young children, the pregnant, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.
Read more...
How wildfire smoke affects your health
Canada warns this could be country’s worst wildfire season on record and smoke might be a problem ‘all summer’
Wildfire smoke disrupts traditional summer camps
The Canadian wildfires that have shrouded much of the nation in smoky haze are making it much harder for American kids to enjoy one of the staples of summer camp: fresh country air.
As a result, many camps in the Midwest and the East have been moving activities indoors, seeking advice from medical professionals and hoping the air quality improves soon so campers can get back to hiking, playing tetherball and waging games of capture the flag.
Read more...
Wildfire smoke drives traditional summer camp activities indoors
The Canadian wildfires that have shrouded much of the nation in smoky haze are making it much harder for American kids to enjoy one of the staples of summer camp: fresh country air
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