Smoke and poor air threaten New York World Cup final, health situation very serious | OneFootball

Canadian wildfires are driving thick smoke into the United States, triggering widespread air quality alerts and threatening to affect Sunday’s World Cup final at the New York/New Jersey venue between Spain and Argentina.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the National Weather Service kept broad air quality alerts in force on Friday across much of the Great Lakes through New England and the Mid-Atlantic, with more than 100 million people in 18 states and the District of the Columbia affected by fine particulate pollution.

More than 800 fires remain active in Canada and winds are pushing smoke south. New York’s Air Quality Index stood at 179 on Friday, an unhealthy level, and the city has opened sites handing out free masks, including at the Public Library in Bryant Park.

Washington DC recorded an AQI of 237, classed as very unhealthy. Other hotspots included Virginia, Cloquet and Duluth in Minnesota, Northbrook in Illinois, Columbus in Ohio, Milwaukee in Wisconsin and London in Ontario, where readings ranged from 450 to 928, deemed hazardous.

New York governor Kathy Hochul said the region was facing a very serious public health situation. The smoke is now drifting towards the southern part of the state.

Forecasters expect conditions to improve over the weekend as rain arrives and wind patterns shift. The state health department advises people to consider limiting strenuous outdoor activity, particularly very young children and those with asthma or heart disease.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo