600 firefighters from US head to Canada to battle wildfires; more events canceled
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On Large Swath Of Eastern U.S. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: The Statue of Liberty is seen amid hazy conditions due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires on June 08, 2023 in New York City. People in the city and other areas are expected to have another day of bad air Thursday due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Air quality advisories continue to be in place for all five boroughs of the city of more than 8 million people. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images)
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Hundreds of firefighters from the U.S. have gone north of the border to help battle the wildfire in Canada that has blanketed the eastern United States with smoke.
There were 362 fires actively burning in Canada on Wednesday with most burning out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, CTV reported.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, the Biden administration said it was sending more than 600 firefighters and other personnel, along with equipment to help battle the flames. In all, about 1,000 international firefighters are in Canada to help battle the fire, with more expected, CTV reported.
In addition, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she has offered to send additional firefighters from her state to help put out flames in Quebec, The New York Times reported.
Meanwhile, as the smoke continues to move south and west, several events are either being adjusted or canceled outright.
The Washington Nationals were expected to play in D.C. but the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks has been rescheduled for June 22 because of the poor air quality.
The New York Racing Association canceled racing at Belmont Park in Long Island for Thursday. Training had already been canceled there and at Saratoga Race Course, The New York Times reported. The Belmont Stakes are scheduled for this weekend. Racing is scheduled to resume Friday at Belmont, according to the organization’s website.
A Pride Month event on the South Lawn of the White House has also been rescheduled from Thursday to Saturday because of the air quality in the D.C. area, the Times reported.
0 of 14
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - JUNE 07: Hazy skies caused by Canadian wildfires blanket the monuments and skyline of Washington, DC on June 7, 2023 as seen from Arlington, Virginia. The Washington DC area is under a Code Orange air quality alert indicating unhealthy air for some members of the general public. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: A water taxi moves past the Statue of Liberty on a hazy morning resulting from Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec causing air quality health alerts for New York State and parts of New England. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: The sun over New York City takes on a red appearance on a hazy morning resulting from Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec causing air quality health alerts for New York State and parts of New England. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Manhattan sits under a thick haze resulting from Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Manhattan is enveloped in a dense haze caused by wildfires in Canada on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: The Manhattan skyline stands shrouded in a reddish haze as a result of Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: The sun over New York City takes on a red appearance on a hazy morning resulting from Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec causing air quality health alerts for New York State and parts of New England. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: The Statue of Liberty stands shrouded in a reddish haze as a result of Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: People look out over Manhattan enveloped in a dense haze caused by wildfires in Canada on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: People walk along the Brooklyn Promenade as a reddish haze enshrouds the Manhattan skyline as a result of Canadian wildfires on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - JUNE 07: Hazy skies caused by Canadian wildfires blanket the monuments and skyline of Washington, DC on June 7, 2023 as seen from Arlington, Virginia. The Washington DC area is under a Code Orange air quality alert indicating unhealthy air for some members of the general public. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blows South Creating Hazy Conditions On East Coast NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: People look out over Manhattan enveloped in a dense haze caused by wildfires in Canada on June 06, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Sign Up
